Could mark a huge step forward for domestic worker rights

The California State Legislature has approved a bill, “AB-241,” also dubbed the Domestic Worker Bill of Rights, that could mark a huge step forward for domestic worker rights in the state and could make California the second state in the nation after New York to pass such a bill.

Introduced by Democratic Assembly member Tom Ammiano, the bill guarantees overtime pay for domestic workers who work more than nine hours per day or 45 hours per week.

“Growing up, I saw first-hand how hard domestic workers labor without basic worker protections that most of us take for granted,” said coauthor Senator Kevin de León in a press release about the passing. “My mother worked her fingers to the bone cleaning other people's homes. I'm proud to be a coauthor for this long-overdue measure which will end the historic exclusion of this industry from overtime pay.”

The Senate has approved the bill with amendments 22-12, with the Assembly approving the changes shortly after. Governor Brown now has until October 13 to sign the bill.

Should Brown sign it, he will then convene a committee to review the success of the bill. Lawmakers will have three years to make it permanent. Brown killed a similar bill last year, arguing that it would place an extra burden on employers, particularly with low-income, elderly or disabled individuals who need constant care.

Senate version focuses on overtime pay for workers

Initially AB-241 included other worker rights, such as meal breaks, sick days and workers' compensation. The amended version created by the Senate focuses strictly on overtime pay.

“We obviously believe these workers should have all of these rights, but the overtime is by far the most important element we were looking for,” explained Ammiano Communications Director Carlos Alcalá. “We're happy to go forward with the bill as it is.”

The bill has seen support across the state. In March, hundreds of housekeepers, child-care providers, as well as other domestic workers marched in protest of worker's rights.

Ammiano's office said that the bill “rights a historic wrong.”

“Senate passage of the Domestic Workers Bill of Rights is one more step in a movement to make sure these workers get the kind of labor protections they deserve,” wrote Ammiano. “This movement is taking place all over the country and won't be over until domestic workers rights are spelled out in every state. When this bill gets final approval and signature, California will be a leader in that movement.”