New York: Domestic-worker bill helps out ‘the help’
Gov. Paterson yesterday signed into law the nation’s first measure to safeguard the rights of domestic workers, guaranteeing the unsung household heroes such benefits as paid time off and protections against discrimination.
A small army of nannies, caregivers for the elderly and housekeepers — mostly women and immigrants — erupted in cheers when Paterson put pen to paper to make the bill law at a ceremony in Harlem.
“They are the structure and function of our society. They have been the skeleton and underpinning of our success,” said Paterson.
“They are the wind beneath our wings, and we have totally disrespected them until today.”
Under the new law, the state’s estimated 280,000 domestic workers — previously excluded from virtually all labor laws — will have rights other workers have long taken for granted.
They will be entitled to overtime pay at time and half if they work more than 40 hours a week — or 44 hours a week for live-in staff — as well as three paid days off annually, after a year of working for a family. In addition, employers must now give their household staff at least one day off for every seven days worked, or else pay them at an overtime rate.
The new law goes into effect in 90 days.