Councilmember Teresa Mosqueda’s Domestic Workers Legislation Signed into Law by Mayor

Home » Councilmember Teresa Mosqueda’s Domestic Workers Legislation Signed into Law by Mayor

Councilmember Teresa Mosqueda’s legislation on domestic workers, known as the Domestic Workers’ Bill of Rights, was signed by Mayor Jenny Durkan today during a bill signing event at Casa Latina. Seattle is the first city in the country to pass a Domestic Workers’ Bill of Rights, which guarantees workers earn minimum wage, rest and meal breaks, protects workers from wage theft and from having their documents withheld.

“Today, we elevate the voices of domestic workers who are more likely to be women, people of color and immigrants. These are the workers who power our city. They are our caretakers, our guardians, and they care for our homes and families. In this era, we must do everything we can to protect the most vulnerable workers, and create new opportunities for worker voices to be heard,” said Councilmember Mosqueda (Position 8, Citywide).

Council Bill 119286 impacts approximately 33,000 domestic workers in Seattle  including nannies, house cleaners, gardeners and home care workers. The changes go into effect July 1, 2019 and will be enforced by the City’s Office of Labor Standards.

The legislation also establishes a Domestic Workers Standards Board, which will be tasked with recommending how to implement new labor standards, such as retirement benefits, worker’s compensation and sick leave. The board will meet during the first quarter of 2019.

Following this legislation, Councilmember Mosqueda and Councilmember Lisa Herbold are working on a companion bill that will ensure domestic workers are protected from discrimination and sexual harassment. Discussion of this legislation will occur during the Civil Rights, Utilities, Economic Development and Arts Committee in August.

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