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New Domestic Worker Protections Passed in DC

Members of the National Domestic Workers Alliance speak at a Well-Paid Maids picnic in 2021. All Well-Paid Maids employees are offered an employer-paid membership.

In December, the D.C. Council unanimously voted to pass the Domestic Worker Employment Rights Amendment Act of 2022.

Well-Paid Maids has been a staunch supporter of this bill, which has been in the works since 2019.

The living-wage cleaning company offers its employees a starting minimum wage of $22 an hour, 24 paid days off per year, insurance and more — but not all cleaning companies treat their workers fairly.

In fact, before the bill was passed, an estimated 9,000 domestic workers in the District lacked basic rights, according to the National Domestic Workers Alliance.

This bill will now include domestic workers in D.C.’s Human Rights Act, which provides protection against sexual harassment and discrimination. It also requires employers to create formal, written contracts that outline start dates, work locations, pay, schedules, paid and unpaid leave, and more.

The bill will also establish an outreach and education program to help domestic workers know their rights and how to file a complaint.

This is a huge win — but there’s still work to be done.

Support the fair treatment of domestic workers when you book a home cleaning with Well-Paid Maids.

In 2023, the company will continue to fight for stronger labor laws and work to transform traditionally low-wage industries.

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