Nannies Can No Longer Be Slaves — In New York, At Least

The original Bill of Rights, the first ten amendments to the Constitution, went into effect in 1791. Unfortunately they covered far from everyone, including the relatively recent upsurge in domestic workers, most of whom are women, immigrants or people of color — or all three. These domestic workers, more often known as nannies, home health aids, gardeners and maids, still aren't granted the workplace protections that those of us in office buildings enjoy.

But progress is being made, however slowly. Last week New York Gov. David Paterson signed into law the country's first Domestic Workers Bill of Rights. "Today we correct an historic injustice by granting those who care for the elderly, raise our children and clean our homes the same essential rights to which all workers should be entitled," he said.

It only takes a good memory for horrific news stories to see the need. Look at these headlines: "Egyptian Girl Kept as Slave in California Home." "Child Maid Trafficking Spreads From Africa to U.S." "Woman Gets Five Years for Enslaving Nanny."

The bill of rights will, among other things, require overtime pay for domestic workers who put in more than 40 hours a week, require a day off every seven days and require three paid days off for each year worked. It's not overly generous by any means, but it's more than many workers get right now and a major win for the state's domestic workers. Next up? California, which is considering its own bill of rights for the people who keep society running smoothly behind closed doors.

Urge California to keep the workers' rights train rolling by passing protections for domestic workers!

Photo credit: Sharon Mollerus