In a recent discussion highlighting the plight of domestic workers in the United States, experts underscored the significant gaps in rights and protections for this essential workforce. With approximately 2.5 million nannies, home health aides, and housekeepers supporting the broader economy, these workers remain largely excluded from key labor protections, including the Fair Labor Standards Act and the Occupational Safety and Health Act.

Caitlin Henderson, a senior researcher at Oxfam, pointed out that the historical exclusion of domestic workers from labor protections stems from systemic racial and gender discrimination, particularly during the New Deal era. This exclusion has left many domestic workers, predominantly women of color and immigrants, vulnerable to mistreatment, discrimination, and harassment in their workplaces—often their employers' homes.

Despite efforts at the state level, where eleven states and the District of Columbia have enacted domestic workers' rights legislation, a federal Domestic Workers Bill of Rights has yet to pass Congress. This proposed legislation aims to establish minimum wage provisions, overtime protections, and safeguards against workplace discrimination and harassment. Henderson noted that the bill has faced repeated stalls due to a lack of political will, despite the clear value domestic workers provide to the economy.

The COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated the vulnerabilities faced by domestic workers, as many were left without work during lockdowns, highlighting their critical role in the economy. The discussion emphasized the need for greater awareness of workers' rights and the importance of collective organization, as domestic workers often operate in isolation.

As the conversation continues, advocates stress the necessity of recognizing the foundational role of care work in enabling other sectors to function, urging a shift in perception and policy to better support this essential workforce.