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USA: Hawaii has become the second state to have Domestic Worker Bill of Rights

USA: Hawaii has become the second state to have Domestic Worker Bill of Rights

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by IDWFED published May 01, 2013 12:00 AM
Hawaii is poised to become the second state to have a Domestic Worker Bill of Rights. Senate Bill 535 passed overwhelmingly in both chambers of the Hawaiian legislature on April 30. The landmark legislation will protect domestic workers from discriminatory practices and cover them under the state’s wage and hour law. Governor Neil Abercrombie now has 60 days to sign the bill.

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  1. Hawaii Legislature Passes Historic Domestic Worker Bill of Rights | NDWA
  2. Nat'l group praises Hawaii on domestic workers | Bloomberg Businessweek

Hawaii is poised to become the second state to have a Domestic Worker Bill of Rights.

Senate Bill 535 passed overwhelmingly in both chambers of the Hawaiian legislature on April 30. The landmark legislation will protect domestic workers from discriminatory practices and cover them under the state’s wage and hour law. Governor Neil Abercrombie now has 60 days to sign the bill.

“This bill will provide a basic level of protection against discrimination and ensure that domestic workers are covered under our wages and hours laws. In other words, they will be entitled to rights that all other workers enjoy,” said Representative Roy Takumi, the bill’s author. “It represents a real victory for domestic workers who deserve dignity and respect for what they do. But it also is a real victory for all of us because it shows that as a community, we value justice and fairness for everyone.”

New York became the first state to extend labor protections to domestic workers with the 2010 passage of its "Domestic Workers Bill of Rights.” Massachusetts, Oregon, California, Texas and soon Ohio will be considering workforce protections for domestic workers this year. Just this week the Illinois Senate’s labor committee will vote on the state’s proposed Domestic Bill of Rights. Ai-jen Poo, director of the National Domestic Workers Alliance says, “This is part of a growing wave to address the injustices of the past and support today’s workforce.”

Domestic workers make up one of the fastest-growing workforces in the country. With the baby boomer generation continuing to age, it is estimated that 27 million Americans will need caregivers by the year 2050 just to meet their basic daily needs. “This workforce will continue to grow and this measure will help stabilize and secure the workforce," Poo said.

"Hawaii takes a big step forward for its lowest income workers with the domestic worker's bill of rights,” said Rev. Alan Mark of FACE, Hawaii, one the bill’s primary supporters. “It extends the social contract to people who have too long been marginalized in our state.”

The bill passed the House and Senate on Tuesday with little opposition in the heavily Democratic chambers. It covers cooks, waiters, butlers, housekeepers and other workers, including babysitters in some cases.

The bill makes it illegal to discriminate against anyone employed as a domestic worker based on race, gender, sexual orientation and other factors.

Photo: Hong Duong/FLICKR

Source: NDWA and AP

Story Type: News

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