USA -
Hawaii is poised to become the second state to have a Domestic Worker Bill of Rights.
Senate Bill 535 passed overwhelmingly in both chambers of the Hawaiian legislature on April 30. The landmark legislation will protect domestic workers from discriminatory practices and cover them under the state’s wage and hour law. Governor Neil Abercrombie now has 60 days to sign the bill.
“This bill will provide a basic level of protection against discrimination and ensure that domestic workers are covered under our wages and hours laws. In other words, they will be entitled to rights that all other workers enjoy,” said Representative Roy Takumi, the bill’s author. “It represents a real victory for domestic workers who deserve dignity and respect for what they do. But it also is a real victory for all of us because it shows that as a community, we value justice and fairness for everyone.”
