U.S. Domestic Workers Are Paid Lowest Wages and work without Legal Protection

Written by Pradeep Thapa Magar

Wednesday, 29 April 2009 21:59

New York: 144 years after the abolition of slavery in 1865 by the Thirteenth Amendment to the Constitution, domestic workers in the United States are still forced to work and live under near slavery conditions.

News feature of this series-1

Domestic workers and activists in front of the New York State Building. More photos coming up shortly. Photos: eEyeCam

More than 250 domestic workers, NGO activists and labor leaders from around the country gathered and marched in front of the New York State Capital Building in Albany and demanded passage of state legislation that would ensure the rights of an estimated 200,000 domestic workers who are employed in homes in New York City area.

Domestic workers and activists marching at the New York State's capital city Albany. Photos: eEyeCam

The New York State minimum wage, effective January 1, 2007, is $7.25 per hour. But domestic workers in New York City are paid as little as $300 a week after being forced to work as long as 18 hours a day, 7 days a week!

You don't believe it? Then meet Shila (name changed) who worked for $300 a week. She was forced to work even after she fainted from exhaustion after a whole dayof work without a single break. According to Shila, her cruel but clever employer used to give her 'energy tablets' and forced her to continue working.

There are many "Believe It or Not" true stories of abuse of domestic workers from around the United States.

Pramila (name changed), another victim, was paid only $ 450 a month for 4 years until she finally escaped from her employer's home.

Ramita (name changed) worked many months as both nanny and house cleaner and was paid only $500 a month.

Domestic workers receive not only the lowest salary for the longest hours of work, but also lack safety in their lives due to the high rate of physical and mental abuse, even torture by their employers.

Patricia Francois (Pat)'s file photo showing her swollen face. Photo courtesy: Pat

I met and interviewed Patricia (Pat) Francois, a domestic worker from New York City who is an active member of Domestic Workers United (DWU), an organization of Caribbean, Latina and African nannies, housekeepers, and elderly caregivers in New York.

Pat related that she was assaulted by her employer for trying to prevent him from abusing his 6 year-old daughter in December last year. She told me that she was punched in her face, resulting in a severely swollen eye and other bruises when her employer twisted her wrist as she struggled to call 911 for help.

Writer Barbara Ehrenreich speaking at the press conference. Photos: eEyeCam

At the press conference in Albany, capitol of New York State, the New York Times best selling writer and journalist and long-time advocate of domestic workers’ rights, Barbara Ehrenreich said “This is one of the groups of workers in this country that is most routinely abused, underpaid, and ignored as if they were invisible."

Writer Barbara Ehrenreich listening the story of Patricia Francois (Pat), a domestic worker from Manhattan, New York City. Photos: eEyeCam

The author of 13 books including "Nickel & Dime" and "Global Woman: Nannies, Maids, and Sex Workers in the New Economy" Ehrenreich said: “This would not be the first time that women, particularly women of color, have taken the lead in labor struggles in this country and have shown the rest of us the way to go, so I am very proud to be part of this function.”

Assemblyman Keith L.T. Wright, D-Manhattan speaking at the press conference.

Assemblyman Keith L.T. Wright, D-Manhattan who is the sponsor of the Domestic Workers Bill of Rights (A.1470/S.2311), which was approved earlier this year by both the Assembly and Senate labor committees, said “This bill is not necessarily about race, it is about justice, civil rights, and equality, and certainly we are committed to making sure that this population that does so much for so many people and for the lifeblood of the city and the state of New York, receives equal justice.”

One of the supporters of the legislation Sen. Diane Savino, D-Staten Island said “It is a priority in the New York State Senate to move this bill and we will be moving it onto the floor of the full senate for a vote, up or down, to put people on the spot, asking if they support workers in New York State.”

Sen. Diane Savino, D-Staten Island. Photos: eEyeCam

Later on in the sweltering afternoon, speaking in front of the protesting crowd on the steps of the State Capital Building, Sen. Savino said "We're with you. Let's pass this bill this session. We will win at the end of the day, the weather doesn't matter."

The New York State legislature now has a Democratic majority, and it is the first time the bill has made it to the floor of each house.

Senate Majority Leader Malcolm Smith. Photos: eEyeCam

Domestic workers and labor leaders met with the Senate Majority Leader Malcolm Smith, an African-American leader and one of the staunchest supporters of the Domestic Workers Bill of Rights. He gave his assurance that he will see to it that the bill is at least voted for by all 32 Democratic lawmakers (Senators) when passed to the senate floor for voting. The senate has 62 seats. The remaining 30 senators are Republican and are not likely to vote in support of the bill according to the counselor in Mr. Smith's office.

Domestic workers and activists with Mr. Smith

The protesters lobbied more than 80 senators and assemblymen/women in separate groups in their effort to win support for the bill. Among the organizers was Adhikaar, a Nepalese human rights group working for Nepalese immigrants in New York's Borough of Queens.

Adhikaar group at the protest rally in Albany. Photos: eEyeCam

The Domestic Workers Bill of Rights would protect nannies, housekeepers, and elder-care workers from every kind of abuse and exploitation by employers, give job protection and mandate basic health coverage.

Currently, approximately 90 percent of domestic workers do not have health insurance coverage according to the report prepared by Domestic Workers United (DWU).

-Pradeep Thapa Magar in New York. Comments? 917-570-1098, or email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Note: Pradeep traveled to Albany for this reporting embedded with Adhikaar.

Social Worker and host of the event Ai-jen Poo (DWU) with Writer Barbara Ehrenreich. Photos: eEyeCam

Writer Barbara Ehrenreich, domestic worker Patricia Francois (Pat), Assemblyman Michael Benjamin, Assemblyman Keith L.T. Wright and Senator and Diane Savino, D-Staten Island. Photos: eEyeCam