A Domestic Workers’ Bill of Rights has been adopted in seven states: New York, Hawaii, California, Massachusetts, Oregon, Connecticut and Illinois. The bills give domestic workers essential rights and protections including the right to be paid no less than the minimum wage, the right to be paid for all work hours, the right to at least one day off a week, the right to meal and rest periods. The bills also include protection against harassment.

On 22 August 2015 the Federal Court of Appeal ruled that that the Department of Labor had full authority to extend basic wage protections like overtime pay and a minimum wage to over two million home care workers.

KEY ELEMENTS: Adoption of Bill of Rights - Minimum wage