The California Domestic Workers Coalition has been organizing to ensure that the domestic workers who are struggling to make ends meet in this crisis are included in relief efforts, and have a seat at the table as elected officials make decisions that will affect our communities for months and years to come.
Many domestic workers have either lost their jobs or have had to make the impossible decision to work in unsafe conditions or to stay at home to take care of themselves and their families without any income. In addition to being excluded from basic labor protections, many domestic workers are excluded from the economic safety nets that make sheltering in place possible because of their immigration status; undocumented workers cannot access income replacement programs such as unemployment insurance, disability insurance, or federal stimulus checks. As a result, domestic workers are struggling right now to protect their health and safety, pay rent and put food on the table for their families.
Rapid Relief Fund for Dignity, Health, and Safety
We are proud to announce that with the generous support of our partners at The Blue Shield Foundation of California, The James Irvine Foundation and The Walter and Elise Haas Fund, we have been able to respond to this crisis by establishing the Rapid Relief Fund for Dignity, Health and Safety. We will distribute this $650,000 fund to our affiliate domestic worker led organizations so that they can provide some immediate financial relief directly to domestic workers who are experiencing the devastating impacts of the pandemic.
Join us Today! #SafetyNet4AllofUs Digital Day of Action!
At the same time, the enormity of the need is too great for it to fall just on foundations and community organizations to patch together a safety net for those who have been excluded from federal and state income replacement and relief efforts. That is why we are part of a coalition of more than 100 immigrant and workers rights groups from around California who have joined together to demand that the CA government provide a Safety Net for All of Us, including undocumented people. Governor Newsom’s announcement last week of the creation of a $125 million disaster relief fund for undocumented Californians is a critical first step. However, this fund is only enough to provide a one time grant of about a week’s worth of income to approximately 1 out of every 10 undocumented workers in California.
Today, worker and immigrant rights advocates across California are calling on our Governor and state legislature to provide long-term relief for California’s undocumented community. We are all stronger when everyone is safe and cared for – not just this week, but in the coming weeks and months. Please join us today for this digital day of action:
- Click here to add your name to our petition calling for a Safety Net for All of Us!
- Join us today from 1-2pm for a twitter chat using the hashtag #SafetyNet4AllofUs. How will our immigrant communities get through this crisis? What resources are out there? Raise your voice in solidarity & share your experience.
Thank you for your support!