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Demonstrating in favor of the California Domestic Workers Bill of Rights in Downtown Los Angeles. (Photo by Fiona Wang)
The California Domestic Worker Bill of Rights was passed by the Assembly’s Labor Committee on Wednesday. On Thursday, workers and supporters gathered in Downtown Los Angeles to celebrate.
The bill, AB 241, would give baisc labor protections to people like house cleaners and caregivers.
It seeks six provisions: overtime pay, meal breaks, workers compensation, uninterrupted sleep, use of kitchen and paid days off.
Supporters launched a public campaign in early March. And they have been out in the streets every week since then.
“Today we are in front of the State Building again as one of our action Thursdays,” said Auilina Soriano, executive director of the Filipino Workers Center of Southern California. “We are in light purple, bringing cupcakes to educate the passersby about what’s happening. Because we are celebrating the passage of yesterday. And just to keep visibility to the governor’s office and letting them know that we are one step closer to his desk again.”
This is the second measure of its kind in the country. New York passed one last year.
Supporters say the bill underscores the importance of the domestic workers to the city.
Domestic workers passed out cupcakes at a rally in support of the Domestic Workers Bill of Rights
“The hardest work is done by these people here. And this is work that most people just think they are above. They think they are too good for,” said Misty Upham, an actress who used to be a house cleaner. “So if all these workers stop, the entire city will cease to run completely. So the are very important.”
Joshua Jimenez, the son of a domestic worker said, “We got to let the folks know it’s not just a segreated or isolated issue. This is a bigger issue of injustice and the exploitation of workers.”
But opponents such as California Chamber of Commerce have concerns that the proposed law could burden individuals who need long-term care.
Some home care agencies are also against the bill because of the possible cost increases of paying workers.
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