Domestic Workers Rights Bill Moves Forward in California

http://www.inthesetimes.com/working/entry/11607/domestic_workers_rights_bill_moves_forward/

By R. M. Arrieta

Friday Jul 8, 2011 10:18 am

A Domestic Workers Rights bill is winding through California's Capitol.

This week the California Senate Labor and Industrial Relations Committee voted in favor (5-2) of a domestic rights bill, but some tough concessions have been made, including the removal of vacation and sick day provisions from the bill.


The International Domestic Worker Alliance celebrates the signing of New York's Domestic Workers' Bill of Rights legislation on June 25, 2010. (Photo via Jobs with Justice )

One former domestic worker told KPFA: “In this labor committee hearing we lost vacation days, but we understand not all workers have paid vacation days. But we also earlier lost sick days, so most of the workers were going to use vacation days for sick days.”

Even so, the historic bill would provide some basic labor protections for the state's estimated 200,000 domestic workers, which include nannies, caregivers and housekeepers.

Domestic workers, who are primarily immigrant women, are isolated and vulnerable to the whims of their employers. Workers are reluctant to complain to anyone about unfair pay, working more hours than they are paid, lack of breaks or sexual harassment, for fear of losing their jobs.

Many of the workers provide the main income in their families. According to a report released in 2007 “Behind Closed Doors,” 54 percent of the women interviewed were the main providers. In addition, 72 percent supported families in their country of origin.

FULL story at link.