Advocates celebrate passage of NJ bill for domestic worker rights. Here's what it includes
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In a historic victory for labor rights, the New Jersey General Assembly unanimously passed the New Jersey Domestic Worker Bill of Rights on Monday, marking a transformative achievement for the 50,000 domestic workers in the state.
Introduced by Sen. Richard Codey and Assemblywoman Britnee Timberlake, the bill comprises a comprehensive set of provisions aimed at addressing long-standing inequities within the domestic work sector.
Key components include:
The establishment of written agreements to document hours, wages and duties.
Mandatory meal and rest breaks.
Protection against discrimination, harassment and retaliation.
Provisions to facilitate the enforcement of domestic worker rights and to educate both workers and employers about the new law.
Ensures advance notice of termination and provides other protections for live-in workers, such as privacy and anti-trafficking safeguards.
During a moving speech from the Assembly floor, @AswTimberlake talked about her grandmother, a domestic worker who inspired her to sponsor the New Jersey Domestic Workers' Bill of Rights Act. It passed the Assembly today by a vote of 47-26-1. https://t.co/gAaxToB3dU pic.twitter.com/NnblLpcR5w
— NJ Assembly Democrats (@njassemblydems) January 8, 2024
Jenn Stowe, executive director of the National Domestic Workers Alliance, expressed gratitude, stating, "The New Jersey Domestic Worker Bill of Rights is more than just a piece of legislation; it's a genuine show of respect for the dignity and invaluable work of domestic workers." Stowe praised the state General Assembly for taking a significant step toward delivering equitable workplace protections for domestic workers.
Evelyn Saz, a former home care worker and National Domestic Workers Alliance home care organizer in New Jersey, emphasized the personal significance of the legislation. "This bill is a critical step toward justice, not only for us in New Jersey but for domestic workers across the nation. We deserve to work with protections, dignity and the respect we have rightfully earned."
The new bill follows the precedent set by neighboring New York, the first state to pass such legislation, and mirrors similar bills in Connecticut, Massachusetts, and cities like Philadelphia and Washington, D.C.
This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: NJ Domestic Worker Bill of Rights passes assembly
