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Domestic Workers’ Bill of Rights signed into law

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Illinois

* Press release…

The Domestic Workers’ Bill of Rights, sponsored by State Senator Ira Silverstein (D-Chicago) to establish provisions for overtime, wages, days off and other protections for Illinois domestic workers was signed by the governor late Friday.

Domestic workers will no longer be exempt from the Minimum Wage Law, Illinois Human Rights Act, One Day Rest in Seven Act and Wages of Women and Minors Act. House Bill 1288 defines what constitutes domestic work and expands rights for this class of workers from which they are now exempt.

“I am pleased to see domestic workers gain the same rights and protections as all working people in Illinois,” said Senator Silverstein. “Domestic workers are striving to provide for their families and current law makes their struggle more difficult, and unfair, while they play an important role in Illinois’ economy.”

Domestic workers are defined in HB 1288 to include workers in homes performing house cleaning, caring for children, ill or older family members, laundry, cooking or other home tasks.

According to proponents who include the Sargent Shriver Center on Poverty Law, Women Employed, and labor and immigrant rights groups, 23% of domestic workers are paid below minimum wage and 58% of live-in workers are required to work during their scheduled time off.

“Their work is vital to families’ homes, but they are often exploited. They continue to work because they need the money and have no recourse,” said Wendy Pollack, founder and director of the Women’s Law and Policy Project at the Shriver Center.

The Domestic Workers Bill of Rights takes effect January 1, 2017.

According to Progress Illinois, the proponents are holding a press conference tomorrow.

posted by Rich Miller
Monday, Aug 15, 16 @ 2:48 pm

Comments

Kind of ironic, because I’ll bet most legislators from the North Side have domestic workers. Pass the undeserved gelato.

Comment by Biography Monday, Aug 15, 16 @ 3:34 pm
Will there be a follow up study to determine how many ‘domestic’ workers lose their jobs because the are priced out of the market by this bill?

Comment by Horst Cabal Monday, Aug 15, 16 @ 4:33 pm