Policy Advocacy: AB 889 DOMESTIC WORKER BILL OF RIGHTS

Household domestic workers and caregivers in residential facilities work in isolation and are excluded from many employment and labor laws that govern all other workers. They face unique challenges and are underserved by the legal community. WERC is playing an important part in the growing movement to extend legal protections to domestic workers and caregivers, both by partnering with community based organizations in advocating for legislative and regulatory reform and by representing many individual workers needing assistance.

WERC is counsel to the California Domestic Worker Coalition, sponsors of AB 889, the Domestic Worker Bill of Rights. WERC helped draft AB 889 and provides ongoing advice and legal analysis to the coalition during the legislative process.

--Does Your Housekeeper Need a Break 89.3 KPCC Southern California Public Radio

--A Domestic Worker Bill of Rights Forum w.Michael Krasny

--Health Impact Assessment

WERC drafted CA Assembly Resolution 11, recognizing March 30th as International Domestic Workers' Day. AR 11

WERC supported Assembly Concurrent Resolution 163, a California legislative resolution to support the rights of domestic workers. ACR 163

In the News

• The International Labour Organization (ILO) adopted the Convention on Domestic Workers, in June 2011 setting international labor standards for domestic workers. ILO

• Caring Across Generations: In July 2011 Secretary of Labor Hilda Solis, Senior White House Advisor Valerie Jarrett, and national human rights leaders launched the Caring Across Generations campaign - a movement to protect and expand our nation's support system for the aging and people with disabilities. The campaign is a national movement to secure respect and dignity for millions of care recipients, care workers, and families who struggle to find and afford quality care. Read more about the organization here. Read Secretary Solis' comments.

• Passage of New York State's Domestic Worker Bill of Rights, signed by the governor on August 31, 2010. The law guarantees basic work standards including overtime pay, protection from workplace harassment; and 3 paid days of rest. Read the Summary of the bill.

• On November 2, 2010, the New York State Department of Labor issued its report: Feasibility of Collective Bargaining for Domestic Workers. Read the complete report here . NY Domestic Workers Bill of Rights required that the Department of Labor undertake this study.

• U.S. Department of Labor announced that its upcoming agenda will include review the regulation that excludes home care companions from minimum wage and overtime protections. DOL. For more information, see Fair Pay for Home Care Workers

Please support WERC's domestic worker and caregiver advocacy by donating here.