Help wanted for California’s domestic workers

Despite winning only one Academy Award—Octavia Spencer for Actress in a Supporting Role—the film The Help has been both a popular success and a source of discussion on American history.

But a chunk of “history” isn’t actually in the past for many domestic workers, and California’s Domestic Workers Bill of Rights—Assembly Bill 889, sponsored by Assembly members Tom Ammiano (D-San Francisco) and V. Manuel Perez (D-Indio)—would help give domestic workers the respect and fair treatment they deserve.

Despite being dubbed the “baby-sitting bill” by those opposed, A.B. 889 simply mandates that the employers treat domestic workers as employees. That means the people who clean houses, cook food, and care for children, the elderly and the disabled will be guaranteed things like overtime, workers’ compensation, meal breaks and eight hours of sleep.

What’s more, it doesn’t apply to Becky, the high-school student who watches the kids while you go out for dinner. This law is aimed at full-time domestic workers.

The California Domestic Workers Bill of Rights is currently in committee in the State Senate. A.B. 889 needs to become law because it’s only right. Workers deserve to be treated with respect, whether they work the factory floor or the kitchen floor.