A Domestic Workers Bill of Rights

It's the right -- and decent -- thing to do.

It’s time – past time, actually – to extend workplace protections for domestic workers.

These hard-working people often lack supports that are sometimes taken for granted by many in the labor force as a whole. There is little or no protection for issues such as fair wages, wage deductions, wage theft, tax withholdings and reporting, unemployment insurance, payments into Social Security, vacation and sick days, overtime, health care, retirement benefits, meal and rest breaks, racial and ethnic and gender-based discrimination, immigration matters, and sexual harassment, among other things.

Fortunately, there is movement on several fronts.

Ten states have put Domestic Workers Bills of Rights into their statute books. (1)

Corresponding legislation has been introduced in Congress as H.R. 4826. At present, it is in committee. (2)

The National Domestic Workers Alliance has become a leading advocacy group. (3)

There are nascent efforts at unionization. (4)

Somewhat related is the Build Back Better Act, which has been passed by the House but is stalled in the Senate. Among other things, it would boost compensation for workers in home and child care settings. (5)

Let’s support domestic workers in their quests for protections. It’s the right – and decent – thing to do.

Sources:

(1) https://www.domesticworkers.org/programs-and-campaigns/developing-policy-solutions/bill-of-rights/passed-legislation/

(2) https://www.congress.gov/bill/117th-congress/house-bill/4826/text?r=64&s=1

(3) https://www.domesticworkers.org/

(4) http://www.udwa.org/

(5) https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2021/07/15/fact-sheet-how-the-build-back-better-framework-will-support-womens-employment-and-strengthen-family-economic-security/

#domesticworkers

#domesticworkerbillofrights

#nationaldomesticworkersalliance

#NDWA

#BuildBackBetter