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Advocates ask lawmakers to designate June 16 as Domestic Workers Rights Day to honor and protect caregivers
Summary
Representative Priscilla Sousa and others asked the committee to support H.3417, a bill to designate June 16 as Domestic Workers Rights Day, citing Massachusetts' 2014 domestic workers law and arguing a day would lift visibility for nannies, housekeepers and caregivers.
Representatives and domestic‑worker advocates asked the Joint Committee to advance H.3417, which would designate June 16 as Domestic Workers Rights Day in Massachusetts.
Representative Garcia (sponsor) and Representative Priscilla Souza, a former domestic worker who testified about her experience cleaning houses, described how domestic workers frequently work "behind closed doors," are largely women of color and immigrants, and remain vulnerable to exploitation and harassment. Testimony noted Massachusetts’ 2014 domestic workers bill of rights as a precedent and described the proposed day as a way to "see" domestic workers, honor their contributions and raise public awareness about their rights.
Panelists asked that the committee report the bill favorably; no appropriation or new regulatory requirement was proposed in witness statements. The committee did not take a vote at the hearing.
