When New York passed the nation’s first Domestic Workers’ Bill Of Rights last year, it was a victory both for those who fought for it, mostly immigrants from Latin America and the Caribbean, and feminism, as it was a blow against the historic devaluation of “women’s work.” However, seven month after the law went into effect, most domestic workers and their employers are unaware of it.
The law says that domestic workers, including nannies, housekeepers, and elderly caregivers, have:
The right to overtime pay at time-and-a-half after 40 hours of work in a week, or 44 hours for workers who live in their employer’s home;
A day of rest (24 hours) every seven days, or overtime pay if they agree to work on that day;
Three paid days of rest each year after one year of work for the same employer; and
Protection under New York State Human Rights Law, and the creation of a special cause of action for domestic workers who suffer sexual or racial harassment.
The New York Times talked to domestic workers and employers and found that even if people are aware of the law, many employers aren’t interested in modifying their loose existing arrangements, and workers are hesitant to demand their rights, particularly if they are illegal immigrants.
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