This week, the 2016 Domestic Worker Bill of Rights (SB 1015) passed a Senate floor vote, marking an important step forward in the fight for domestic workers’ dignity.
There are over 300,000 domestic workers in California. These nannies, house cleaners, and caregivers are primarily immigrant women who work in private households in order to provide for their own families as the primary income earner. They are essential to California’s economy, yet they are among the most isolated, underpaid, and vulnerable workers in the state and historically have been exempted or excluded from basic labor protections afforded to other workers.
While the Domestic Worker Bill of Rights first became law in California in 2013, it will expire on January 1st without action. This critical law ensures that the state’s domestic workers have access to overtime pay and rest breaks.
“The Stronger California Advocates Network is proud of the California Domestic Workers Coalition’s leadership to ensure passage of SB 1015, and to be part of the movement to ensure dignity for domestic workers,” said Noreen Farrell, chair of the Stronger California Advocates Network and Executive Director of Equal Rights Advocates.
The 2016 Domestic Worker Bill of Rights is a lead bill in the Fair Pay and Job Opportunities pillar of the Stronger California Legislative Agenda, a comprehensive platform of policy initiatives to improve the economic security of women and families in the state.
The legislation will now head to the Assembly. Californians, tell your assemblymember that you support SB 1015 today.
The post Domestic Worker Bill of Rights Passes CA Senate appeared first on Equal Rights Advocates.