On Monday, Sen. Kamala Harris and Rep. Pramila Jayapal announced their plan to introduce the first "national domestic workers’ bill of rights," in partnership with the National Domestic Workers Alliance. The proposed legislation, if passed, will extend civil rights protections to nannies, house cleaners and home care workers—many of whom are excluded from sexual harassment and discrimination protections.



“Domestic workers are one of the fastest growing workforces in our country,” Sen. Harris told ELLE.com. “They help us care for our aging parents and ensure our children stay safe, happy, and healthy, yet these workers, the majority of whom are women or people of color, have historically gone without many basic labor protections afforded to other employees. I’m working to pass the National Domestic Workers Bill of Rights because the time has come to ensure all domestic workers have the dignity and respect they deserve.”

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It's time we changed the way we value domestic work in America. Today I'm introducing the first ever National Domestic Workers Bill of Rights to guarantee domestic workers across our country the dignity, benefits, and legal protections they deserve. — Kamala Harris (@SenKamalaHarris) July 15, 2019

Rep. Pramila Jayapal added that the bill "shows the power women have when we stand up for each other."

"Every woman, in every workplace, deserves to be safe - whether in big corporations or in individual homes," she told ELLE.com. "Domestic workers have been left out for way too long - even though they do the work that makes all other work possible. As a woman, a mom, an immigrant and a public servant determined to create a more just world for ALL of us, I know that our community will only be safe when my domestic worker sisters are safe too."



Rep. Pramila Jayapal Chip Somodevilla Getty Images

In 2012, there were 2 million domestic workers in this country, and more than 90 percent of live-in workers were women. These workers, primarily immigrants or women of color, don’t benefit from protections afforded to workers in other industries.

Just nine states have passed bills of rights for domestic workers, but the National Domestic Workers Bill of Rights, if passed, will grant domestic workers basic labor protections on a federal level for the first time ever. It will include protections against workplace harassment and discrimination, in addition to guaranteeing privacy, meal breaks, and overtime pay.

Ai-jen Poo, the director of NDWA, says the new piece of legislation will, "ensure that every domestic worker can work in safety and with dignity."

"Millions of families count on the invaluable work of nannies, house cleaners, and care workers, and their care needs will only continue to increase," Poo tells ELLE.com. "We have a historic opportunity to make care jobs quality jobs. That starts by strengthening protections for domestic workers in all 50 states.”

More information on the Bill of Rights can be found here.

Rose Minutaglio Staff Writer Rose is a Staff Writer at ELLE.com covering culture, news, and women's issues.

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