Abuse of Domestic Workers in the United States
Benjamin Torres
David Lacy Writing 39 C
22 March, 2013
Fighting for the Invisible Workforce
Domestic workers have exponentially multiplied within the past couple decades, only to become the slaves of elite nations. According to the United States they are not considered a profession; instead they are viewed as causal workers therefore causing labor laws to enter a grey area. A personal relationship with their employer is what differentiates domestic workers from the typical employee. Most work and live with their employer which this is the reason behind the highly exploitive environment (Milkman 489). Physical, psychological, and sexual abuse are what workers face in some but not all homes. Unlike other professions which have unions, domestic workers are scattered unable to legally organize. Employers have all the power over their employees, many who are illegal immigrants have no choice but to cope. They accept the slave like conditions and substandard compensation because they lack information.
Classifying domestic work as a profession as proposed by Laine Middaugh and others is a viable efficient solution compared to William Banks solution of changing immigration laws; it deters abusive environments, labor laws are already in place, and this will allow professional organization to prevent abuse. Unfortunately, the United States currently views it as casual work from a legal perspective (Middaugh 12). In the article titled "The Pitfalls Of Home: Protecting The Health And Safety Of Paid Domestic Workers" written by Peggie R. Smith, she expresses the lack of recognition domestic workers receive which Causes them to work in hazardous environments without legal protection. Legislation like OSA Act intended to assure safe working conditions is not applicable to domestics like every other government protection. No wonder domestics are excluded from many federal laws protecting workers, the government does not even recognize the essential work they do to
David Lacy Writing 39 C
22 March, 2013
Fighting for the Invisible Workforce
Domestic workers have exponentially multiplied within the past couple decades, only to become the slaves of elite nations. According to the United States they are not considered a profession; instead they are viewed as causal workers therefore causing labor laws to enter a grey area. A personal relationship with their employer is what differentiates domestic workers from the typical employee. Most work and live with their employer which this is the reason behind the highly exploitive environment (Milkman 489). Physical, psychological, and sexual abuse are what workers face in some but not all homes. Unlike other professions which have unions, domestic workers are scattered unable to legally organize. Employers have all the power over their employees, many who are illegal immigrants have no choice but to cope. They accept the slave like conditions and substandard compensation because they lack information.
Classifying domestic work as a profession as proposed by Laine Middaugh and others is a viable efficient solution compared to William Banks solution of changing immigration laws; it deters abusive environments, labor laws are already in place, and this will allow professional organization to prevent abuse. Unfortunately, the United States currently views it as casual work from a legal perspective (Middaugh 12). In the article titled "The Pitfalls Of Home: Protecting The Health And Safety Of Paid Domestic Workers" written by Peggie R. Smith, she expresses the lack of recognition domestic workers receive which Causes them to work in hazardous environments without legal protection. Legislation like OSA Act intended to assure safe working conditions is not applicable to domestics like every other government protection. No wonder domestics are excluded from many federal laws protecting workers, the government does not even recognize the essential work they do to
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