AFSCME Endorses Bill Ensuring Fair Wages for Home Care Workers

New Legislation Aims to Safeguard Home Care Workers' Wages

In a significant move to protect the earnings of home care workers, a fresh piece of legislation has been introduced in Congress, securing the endorsement of AFSCME. This legislative proposal seeks to shield over 3 million home care professionals from potential wage reductions.

The Fair Wages for Home Care Workers Act, if enacted, will ensure that home care workers are guaranteed at least the minimum wage and are eligible for overtime compensation.

Introduced by Senator Patty Murray from Washington and Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez from New York, this legislation responds to a looming Department of Labor proposal that jeopardizes current wage protections for home care employees.

AFSCME President Lee Saunders highlighted the urgency of the situation, stating, “Home care workers represent a lifeline for millions of families — yet too many are denied even a minimum wage and often go unpaid for hours spent off the clock keeping their clients safe. Poverty wages are driving caregivers out of this lifesaving field, leaving families without support, hospitals and nursing homes overwhelmed, and seniors and people with disabilities at risk of losing the freedom to live with dignity in their own homes. Congress must act now to protect these essential workers and the families who depend on them.”

As AFSCME members nationwide express their concerns over the Department of Labor's proposal, this new legislative effort offers a platform for home care workers to advocate for their financial security and that of their families.

Home care professionals play a crucial role in enabling elderly or disabled individuals to reside safely and comfortably in their homes. Ensuring fair compensation and safeguarding their livelihoods from corporate interests is imperative for maintaining the integrity of care they provide.