The National Domestic Workers Alliance

The National Domestic Workers Alliance (NDWA) is the nation’s leading voice for dignity and fairness for the millions of domestic workers in the United States. Founded in 2007, NDWA works for respect, recognition, and inclusion in labor protections for domestic workers, the majority of whom are immigrants and women of color. NDWA is powered by over 60 affiliate organizations and local chapters and by thousands of members. Domestic workers in all 50 states can join NDWA and gain access to member benefits, connection with other workers, and opportunities to get involved in the domestic worker movement. ​NDWA is winning improved working conditions while building a powerful movement rooted in the rights and dignity of domestic workers, immigrants, women, and their families by:

• Working with a broad range of groups and individuals—including supporters like you—to change how we value care, women, families, and our communities.
• Developing women of color leaders and investing in grassroots organizations to realize their potential.
• Building powerful state, regional, and national campaigns for concrete change.

Everyday, over 2.5 million nannies, house cleaners, and care workers do the work of caring and cleaning in our homes. Domestic workers are the nannies that take care of our children, the house cleaners that bring order to our home, and the care workers that ensure that our loved ones can live with dignity and independently. Domestic workers are majority women, mostly immigrants, and women of color. Domestic workers are skilled professionals, yet the work can be physically and emotionally demanding. Many domestic workers often work in isolation, behind closed doors and can log long hours to provide quality care for employers.

When most of our country’s labor laws, like the Fair Labor Standards Act, were drafted, domestic workers were deliberately left out. Workplace standards like a minimum wage, overtime pay, or protections against sexual harassment in the workplace are rarely extended to domestic workers, if at all. Many domestic workers do not earn a living wage and work without access to health care, paid sick days or paid time off. Because of domestic workers’ unique workplaces — inside other people’s homes — the struggles domestic workers face are largely out of the public spotlight.

The National Domestic Workers Bill of Rights ensures domestic workers have respect, dignity, and recognition

• Including domestic workers in common workplace rights and protections: paid overtime, safe and healthy working conditions, meal and rest breaks, earned sick time, and freedom from workplace harassment
• Creating new protections and addressing the unique challenges of domestic work: written agreements, fair scheduling, support for survivors of sexual harassment, and a domestic workers wage and standards board
• Ensuring that rights aren’t just on paper: Know-your-rights information, co-enforcement mechanisms, and provisions to protect against retaliation

Learn more about The National Domestic Workers Alliance