California just enacted the Domestic Worker Bill of Rights, joining New York and Hawaii as states that care for those who care for the vulnerable. Domestic workers are an important part of today’s work force. These workers – 95 percent of whom are women – care for the household, the children and grandparents, the sick and people with disabilities.
California just enacted the Domestic Worker Bill of Rights, joining New York and Hawaii as states that care for those who care for the vulnerable. Domestic workers are an important part of today’s work force. These workers – 95 percent of whom are women – care for the household, the children and grandparents, the sick and people with disabilities. In the words of the National Domestic Workers Alliance, they do “the work that makes all other work possible.” And yet, they are often paid very low wages, and work in difficult conditions.
After 7 years of advocacy and two vetoes, California’s domestic workers will finally receive a very important workplace protection: the right to overtime pay. It doesn’t sound like a lot, but it can be for workers who spend all day taking care of children, the elderly and the infirm. The bill of rights is estimated to cover 200,000 California housekeepers, child-care providers, and caregivers.
In short, the law provides overtime for domestic workers who work more than 9 hours in a day or 45 hours in a week. Since 2001, California law requires minimum wage for domestic workers. Unfortunately, it does not guarantee meal and rest breaks, nor does it guarantee a good night’s rest for sleep-in caregivers. And, the law has a sunset provision. In three years, California lawmakers will have to vote on making it permanent.
Regardless, it is a step in the right direction. As Amy Poehler said in a Public Service Announcement video, “It’s time that these workers were treated with dignity and respect.” In Hawaii and New York, they are. In California, they will be … for at least three years.