FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: September 30, 2024
CONTACT: Daniela Perez, dperez@domesticworkers.org
National Domestic Workers Alliance Applauds Governor Newsom’s Signature of SB 1350, Protecting Over 175,000 Agency-Hired Domestic Workers
SACRAMENTO—The National Domestic Workers Alliance (NDWA) proudly recognizes Governor Gavin Newsom’s historic signing of SB 1350, a landmark bill that marks a crucial advancement in the ongoing fight for justice, dignity, and workplace protections for domestic workers – nannies, house cleaners, and home care workers – across California. This bill, authored by Senator Maria Elena Durazo and sponsored by the California Domestic Workers Coalition (CDWC), will have a profound impact, extending health and safety protections to over 175,000 domestic workers employed by homecare, cleaning, and nanny agencies, ensuring they have the protections they deserve in their workplaces.
SB 1350 aligns California with federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) standards, addressing a long-standing gap in protections for a vital workforce that has been excluded from health and safety regulations for far too long. Domestic workers, the majority of whom are women of color, have faced disproportionate risks to their health and safety without recourse or protection despite the essential care they provide to California families. This legislation acknowledges their invaluable contributions and takes a significant step toward making domestic work a safer profession.
NDWA released the following statement:
“SB 1350’s victory is a testament to the relentless organizing and advocacy of domestic workers, who have fought tirelessly to be seen, heard, and protected. This win is more than just legislation; it affirms that domestic workers deserve the same basic protections as any other worker. NDWA, alongside CDWC, has been in an ongoing advocacy campaign for the past five years to extend basic safety and health protections to domestic workers – the only category of workers left unprotected by the state’s OSHA laws. While this is a step toward ensuring that all domestic workers have the dignity and safety they deserve, our work continues until every worker, regardless of who employs them, is protected.”
This milestone victory underscores the strength and resilience of domestic workers who have been at the forefront of advocating for their rights. As we celebrate this win, NDWA reaffirms its commitment to advocating for comprehensive protections that include all domestic workers in California, recognizing that this is just one step toward achieving true equality and justice for this critical workforce.
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National Domestic Workers Alliance (NDWA) is the leading voice for dignity and fairness for millions of domestic workers in the United States. Founded in 2007, NDWA works for respect, recognition and inclusion in labor protections for domestic workers, the majority of whom are immigrants and women of color. NDWA is powered by over 70 affiliate organizations and local chapters and by a growing membership base of nannies, house cleaners and care workers in over 20 states. Learn more at
www.domesticworkers.org. NDWA is a non-partisan non-profit organization that does not endorse, support, or oppose any candidates for public office.
