Latest modern slavery fight updates - FreedomUnited.org

Philadelphia Raises Domestic Worker Bill of Rights

  • Published on
    March 15, 2019
  • News Source Image
  • Category:
    Domestic Slavery, Law & Policy
Hero Banner

The City Council of Philadelphia will begin hearings on a proposed Domestic Worker Bill of Rights aimed at extending labor protections to nannies, caretakers, house cleaners, and others who work in homes across the city.

The announcement came this week at a press conference held by the Pennsylvania Domestic Workers Alliance, Councilwoman Maria Quiñones-Sánchez, and other elected officials.

“As domestic workers, we don’t have any rights, we don’t get any benefits, we don’t receive any overtime,” said Lucy, an immigrant from Mexico who has worked as a caretaker for the elderly in Philadelphia for 10 years.

Al Dia reports:

Quiñones-Sánchez, a principal sponsor of the bill, said that in the absence of federal legislation that regulates in-home work, “it is incumbent on cities like Philadelphia, with a poverty rate of 26 percent” to take steps to extend basic labor rights to domestic workers.

She highlighted the fact that most domestic workers are “women of color, immigrant women with limited language proficiency, who live paycheck by paycheck and serve in their respective duties with dignity.”

So far, more than 30 unions and community organizations have affirmed their support for the bill proposed by the Pennsylvania Domestic Workers Alliance. If the legislation is passed, Philadelphia will become the second municipality after Seattle to establish labor protections for domestic workers, and the largest municipality in the country to do so to date.

Quiñones-Sánchez explained that the City Council’s labor and civil services committee will hold the hearings, which aim to develop the full list of rights and enforcement mechanisms.

Councilwoman Helen Gym has voiced her support for the Bill, saying she has heard shocking stories of exploitation.

“They spoke of incidents of harassment, of sexual assault, of wage theft, of denial of basic human rights and benefits, and being treated as second-class citizens,” she said.

“That ends today, that ends with this coalition together where we are demonstrating voice and power.”

Subscribe

Freedom United is interested in hearing from our community and welcomes relevant, informed comments, advice, and insights that advance the conversation around our campaigns and advocacy. We value inclusivity and respect within our community. To be approved, your comments should be civil.

stop icon A few things we do not tolerate: comments that promote discrimination, prejudice, racism, or xenophobia, as well as personal attacks or profanity. We screen submissions in order to create a space where the entire Freedom United community feels safe to express and exchange thoughtful opinions.

Notify of
guest
0 Comments
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments

This week

Theresa May’s legacy: migrant worker exploitation

As Theresa May bids farewell to politics, her legacy is one of controversy, particularly within migrant communities and advocacy circles. As prime minister May passed the Modern Slavery Act in 2015, hailed at the time as a crowning achievement that offered “world-leading protections” for trafficking survivors. May has also been at front and center of the criticism launched at her own party’s leadership for immigration policies that will

| Wednesday March 27, 2024

Read more