FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: October 2, 2023
Interview availability with Kim Alvarenga, Executive Director of CDWC
We are deeply disappointed and saddened by the Governor’s veto of SB 686. We expected more from this Governor. Domestic workers deserve more. Despite widespread support from the California Legislature, State and National women’s, labor, and civil rights leaders, and both employer and worker leadership in the development of SB 686, domestic workers will continue to be left unprotected in their workplaces and at risk of serious injury and illness,” said Kim Alvarenga, Director of CDWC.
“We have worked tirelessly over the last four years to create a framework to bring California forward, and the Governor’s office has been unwilling to recognize the women who make up this workforce as equal to other workers. With this veto, the Governor sends a clear message that he does not value the critical work of the state’s homecare, childcare, and household workers, denying them the same rights all other workers enjoy.
We recognize that the domestic work industry is unique and requires thoughtful solutions. SB 686 was a crucial first step that would give Cal/OSHA jurisdiction in order to begin developing guidance, policies, and procedures for the new industry; any industry-specific standards would follow regular processes, taking both employer and worker stakeholders into account. Without first ending the exclusion, we cannot move forward.
Domestic workers are the backbone of the economy. We will not back down from this fight. We are proud to stand with domestic workers, employers and leaders across this nation who understand it is long past time to act on this historic wrong. We continue the legacy of the generations of women of color before us who have fought for equality and dignity for their labor. Alongside our allies, we will continue to push for the health and safety protections our workers need to thrive, and we remain committed to finding a solution that gives California’s domestic workers the dignity and respect they deserve.
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California Domestic Workers Coalition (CDWC) is a statewide coalition of organizations working to advance the dignity and respect for Domestic Workers and their families. The organizations that are a part of our steering committee include: the Graton Day Labor Center, Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights of Los Angeles (CHIRLA), Filipino Advocates for Justice, Hand in Hand: The Domestic Employers Network, Instituto de Educación Popular del Sur California (IDEPSCA), Mujeres Unidas y Activas, Pilipino Workers Center, and The Women’s Collective of Dolores Street Community Services. For more information, please visit www.cadomesticworkers.org.
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