Statement on Chair Mendelson’s move to obstruct human rights protections for domestic workers

On March 15, At-Large Councilmember Elissa Silverman introduced a Domestic Workers Bill of Rights in the DC Council and in June held a hearing on the bill. This week, Chair Mendelson decided to change the referral of the bill, which had previously been under the jurisdiction of the Committee on Labor and Workforce Development, without explanation. DC for Democracy issued the following statement in response:

“The Domestic Workers Bill of Rights is absolutely a labor and workforce issue. We join Councilmember Elissa Silverman in asking the Chair to explain why he believes requiring this bill to go through multiple committees is appropriate.

“It looks as if the chair is trying to obstruct this bill, which would grant domestic workers in DC basic human rights protections as well as better legal standing to fight labor violations and unfair employment practices. By changing the referral of this bill without explanation or timeline, the chair is putting its passage in jeopardy — and every day that it does not pass is a day that domestic workers are unsafe.

“More than 90 people testified in support of this bill at its hearing in June, and many shared deeply upsetting stories about workplace abuse. We are in solidarity with these workers who are overwhelmingly women of color, as well as the organizers who have put in thousands of hours to bring this matter before the Council. We ask Chair Mendelson to immediately explain why he believes this action is appropriate and why he is willing to jeopardize the safety of domestic workers in DC.”

DC for Democracy supports the DC Domestic Workers Bill of Rights and members of our steering committee were among the over 90 people who testified in support of it at the Committee on Labor and Workforce Development hearing in June. 

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DC for Democracy works to make the District a place where every person has a voice and plays an active part in making our communities more inclusive, democratic, and just. We are a grassroots, all-volunteer organization that organizes, educates, advocates, and campaigns for a DC that puts people over profit. Learn more at dcfordemocracy.org.

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