I’ve lived and worked in our city for many years. As a domestic worker, my work is invaluable. I ensure that families and homes are taken care of. However, workers like me are excluded from basic protections against sexual harassment. This needs to change.
Right now, there is a bill — the Be Heard Act — that would make it possible for workers like to me to report problems of sexual harassment without fear of reprisal, costs or loss of employment. For decades, domestic workers have been excluded from many protections under national laws despite all our work and contributions, just because we work in workplaces with fewer than 15 employees or as independent contractors.
Now there is finally a way resolve this injustice. It is up to Congress to show whether they are actually serious about finally addressing and ending this serious problem once and for all.
