“Housework is the work that makes all other work possible.” (Ai-Jen Poo)

Domestic workers face multiple challenges in the United States, such as: the low value placed on domestic work and the difficulty of regulating such work. Domestic workers generally face more severe difficulties compared to other occupations, such as: violations of labor legislation, lack of benefits, lack of social protection and precarious employment conditions. These concerns have gained increasing attention in recent years as the country’s aging population has contributed to an increased demand for paid care work, which is generally performed by low-wage workers, predominantly women, and often women of color from low-income countries.

In the United States, 92% of domestic workers are women, and about 1/3 are immigrants.

Domestic workers in the United States earn some of the lowest wages among all occupations. In response to increased advocacy of the low wages and poor working conditions faced by domestic workers, the campaign for a Domestic Workers’ Bill of Rights guarantees minimum wages, overtime, meal and rest periods, paid time off, written agreements and/or protection from sexual assault, harassment and discrimination, among others. New York was the first state to pass such a bill in 2010. Most recently, in January 2024, New Jersey moved toward passage of the Domestic Workers’ Bill of Rights.

Key points

• Improving conditions for all domestic workers

• Facilitating the organization of domestic workers

• Ensuring that the rights we earn are enforced

• Ensuring that the rights we earn are enforced

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