Challenging Jim Crow Era Laws to Strengthening Protections for Domestic Workers

In 2022, WLC advocated in support of the “Domestic Worker Employment Rights Amendment Act.” Domestic workers have historically been excluded from federal and local worker protections. These exclusions originate from Jim Crow Era laws intended to prevent Black individuals from having equal rights in the workplace. Today, there are 47,000 domestic workers in the District of Columbia metro area, most of whom are women of color. This Act removes the statutory exclusions for domestic workers in D.C. employment laws. It also provides essential funding for education, outreach, and other support services that play a crucial role in helping domestic workers know their rights and connect with legal services. We hope to continue to assist domestic workers through our Workers’ Rights Clinic and litigation work to ensure their rights under this new law are enforced.

 


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