Victory At Last – Dignity and Rights for Our Domestic Worker Sisters

Adhikaar staff and members jumped up and down and cried with joy in the chamber of the New York State Senate when the Domestic Workers Bill of Rights (S2311) passed on June 1 at 8:20pm. We endorsed the campaign in 2005, and worked relentlessly since 2007 to pass this bill that ensures the fundamental labor/human rights of all domestic workers in New York State.

Through our English For Empowerment program and conversations with the participants, most of whom are domestic workers, we heard numerous stories of human rights violations, including but not limited to: verbal abuse, starvation, inadequate or no pay, firing at will, slave-like treatment, and gender and racial discrimination. Many of the workers had slaved for more than10 hours a day, 7 days a week with below-minimum pay, without sick leave, insurance, or any other benefits. These stories gave us the energy to keep working diligently to pass the DWBR, under the leadership of our Senior Community Organizer Narbada Chhetri.

Domestic Workers United (DWU) led a coalition of 8 organizations, including Adhikaar, to campaign for the Domestic Workers Bill of Rights. Leading up to the historic moment on June 1, Adhikaar mobilized over 150 participants for marches, vigils, town hall meetings, conferences, demonstrations, and legislative visits in Albany.

The Senators passed the bill that allows New York’s 200,000 domestic workers to receive overtime pay, paid holiday, and collective bargaining with employers. In addition, employers are liable for providing clear termination standards and advance notice of at least 14 days before termination from work. We have already been reported of various instances of our participants standing up to their employers to ensure their labor rights! We also expect the bill to reduce physical and sexual harassment of domestic workers.

Once the bill is reconciled with the one passed by the Assembly last year, and is signed into law by Governor Paterson, New York will be the first state to establish these rights to domestic workers, most of whom are immigrant women and are often very vulnerable to abuse. Domestic workers in California and Colorado are also fighting for similar bills.

Bishnu Thapa, a member leader ofAdhikaar says, “There are not enough words to describe my happiness. It is a relief to know that I no longer have to acquiesce to unfair terms of pay and working hours in domestic work.” Her involvement with the campaign empowered her to bargain with her employer, and Ms. Thapa managed to raise her salary from $350 to $500 per week. An increase of $7,800 per year!

The bill has not only empowered our member base, it has also reinvigorated our dedication to educate and ensure the rights of domestic workers in New York, and fight for similar rights in the tri-state area, where many of our domestic worker sisters work. Moreover, we are also providing Nanny training to our participants to better fulfill their responsibilities. With the increasing number of people turning to Adhikaar for help, we are expanding our networks with other civil rights groups and immigration organizations to ensure the rights of Nepali immigrants.

We are also planning to use the lessons we have learned and partnerships we have formed from campaigning for the domestic workers’ rights to start a campaign for the rights of nail salon workers, most of whom are working in similarly vulnerable situations and are exposed daily to hazardous chemicals causing many long-term health problems.

Interested in joining us? Contact us at adhikaar@gmail.com.