Thread by @BBCWorld

Maids in Spain have been imprisoned in their employers homes during the pandemic

BBC News has found some live-in cleaners and carers have been kept locked in since the start of the Covid pandemic

“Maria” is just one of many currently trapped

[Thread]

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Spain has more domestic workers than any country in Europe

Most of them live with their employers which means they can be more easily exploited

“Isabella” was fired during the first lockdown after being mistreated for months by her employer

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At least 22,000 domestic workers have been fired during the pandemic

The union that represents these workers says it has heard from almost 100 women who are being kept locked inside homes

bbc.in/3kgBqYQ

Most domestic workers come from Latin America and have even fewer rights

They must be employed in Spain for three years before they are allowed to settle legally

"Gloria" was fired at the end of the first lockdown just before the end of her three years

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In Spain domestic workers do not have the same legal rights as other workers

The government has not yet ratified an international treaty that is designed to protect them

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Watch the full report by @jeanmackenzie: bbc.in/3kgBqYQ