Bill in NY Giving Nannies, Housekeepers Employment Protection Passes

MANHATTAN — The Domestic Workers bill narrowly passed both the State Senate and State Assembly Thursday, paving the way for Gov. David Paterson to sign into law legislation giving nannies, elderly caregivers and other household workers employment benefits.

The bill — the first of its kind in the U.S. — would give New York's approximately 200,000 domestic workers overtime pay, protection from discrimination, paid days off and other labor protections.

The legislation passed 35-26 in the Senate and 90-38 in the Assembly. Paterson is reportedly likely to sign the bill into law.

"For far too long domestic workers have labored tirelessly without the labor protections available to almost every other group of workers throughout New York State. They have been subject to abuse, long hours without respite, dangerous working conditions, and they have had nowhere to turn for justice," said Assemblyman Keith Wright of Harlem, who sponsored the bill.

The bill's advocates had to concede some points in the bill in order to get both houses to pass the legislation — the final version no longer gives domestic workers six paid holidays and six paid vacation days. Workers would get three paid days off under the bill that passed.

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