Victory! The first southern state, Virginia wins a Domestic Workers Bill of Rights!
In February 2021, Virginia has become the 10th state and the first Southern state to pass a domestic worker bill of rights, covering 60,000 of domestic workers.
Before the bill was passed in Virginia domestic workers lacked legal protections against issues such as sexual harassment, termination for pregnancy, or the demand for personal protective equipment (PPE) This was due to their exclusion from state labor and civil rights laws.
Now domestic workers are entitled to:
- Protection against discrimination and harassment
- Privacy protections for live-in domestic workers
- Right to a safe and healthy workplace
Thanks to the organizing of domestic workers through the National Domestic Workers Alliance and Care in Action, and the Virgina Hand in Hand members who testified at state assembly and senate hearings—domestic workers now have a bill of rights providing them with the long overdue legal rights and protections they deserve.
“The same workplace safety standards and protections against discrimination should be considered basic rights that are afforded to all workers, regardless of their relationship with their employer or their immigration status.” this is from Brian Lalor, House Cleaner Employer, Richmond, VA
Are you an employer of a nanny, house cleaner, or home attendant looking to support the domestic worker rights movement in Virginia? If so email erica@domesticemployers.org to get involved.
