Domestic Workers

MataHari began its work with exploited domestic workers in 2002 when the issue of human trafficking first surfaced in the US. After the passage of the Trafficking Victims Protection Act in 2000, many immigrant women who were secluded in private homes in the greater Boston area (Boston, Brookline, Cambridge, Framingham, Lexington, Malden, Mattapan, Melrose, Newton, Quincy, Somerville, Waltham, Wellesley and Winthrop) were referred to MataHari by neighbors or friends who had witnessed their exploitation. Since then, MataHari has been active in supporting domestic workers and intervening on their behalf when their rights are abused. In addition, we provide consultation and training to community partners, social service providers, nurses, and attorneys to assist them in managing their own cases relevant to these issues. In 2009, we joined the National Domestic Workers Alliance, attending the New York Domestic Worker Convention and making strong networks with worker organizers from across the country.  In 2011, we co-founded the Massachusetts Coalition for Domestic Workers with the single goal of passing a Massachusetts Domestic Workers Bill of Rights.