Hawaii Domestic Workers Have Rights

 

Yesterday was the kick-off of an educational campaign that in Hawaii Domestic Workers Have Rights.  The Governor's wife, Dr. Nanci Caraway, convened the working group that brought public agencies and private community organizations together to develop a multi-lingual outreach program.  A website on the DLIR provides the information about the new protections.  http://labor.hawaii.gov/domestic-workers-rights/. 

     Who is covered?
      The new domestic worker rights cover individuals working in the homes of their employers who  clean, cook, do laundry, care for children, do the landscaping and other domestic jobs around the house.  Unless a domestic worker is considered a "casual" worker, one who works less than 20 hours a week, domestic workers have a right to receive at least minimum wage for every hour worked and to receive overtime for any hours worked over 40 in one work week.  The law covers  workers who live at their employers home and workers who come just for their shifts.

    A video of the launch can be found at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fqKuuJruwWg