Home Care Workers Search for a Reason to Celebrate FLSA
On today's 75th anniversary of the Fair Labor Standards Act, more than 2 million home care workers wait for President Obama to fulfill his promise to extend basic labor protections to the home care workforce.
WASHINGTON, June 25, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Today, America celebrates the 75th anniversary of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), signed into law by President Franklin Delano Roosevelt. FLSA established a number of fundamental worker rights, including a federal minimum wage and overtime pay compensation for employees working over 40 hours in a given week.
More than 18 months ago, President Obama announced proposed regulations that would extend FLSA's protections to home care workers, but home care workers are still waiting for these basic labor rights. "Today, on the 75th anniversary of this landmark law, it is only right that these rules be finalized," said Carla Washington, Executive Director of Direct Care Alliance (DCA). "It's unjust that home care workers are still fighting for minimum wage and overtime pay instead of celebrating FLSA's anniversary. Home care workers do amazing, skilled work and deserve to be compensated accordingly."
"This is challenging work that's vital to the well-being of our families and our communities," said Joan Leah, a caregiver and President of the Florida Association of Professional Caregivers. "It's frustrating that home care continues to be considered second-class work by our federal government and I can't think of a better way to honor FLSA's 75th anniversary than by extending minimum wage and overtime protections to home care workers."
Home care is the fastest-growing workforce in our economy, with demand fueled by people with long-term services and supports needs who want to remain in their homes and active in their communities. Recognizing home care as a dignified, professional career and extending basic labor protections to the home care workforce is crucial to meeting the booming demand and is a fitting way to honor the 75th anniversary of the Fair Labor Standards Act.
Direct Care Alliance is the national advocacy voice of direct care workers in long-term care.
DCA empowers workers to speak out for better wages, benefits and training, so more people can commit to direct care as a career. Learn more at www.directcarealliance.org.
Media Contact: David Ward
(212) 730-0741 | [email protected]
SOURCE Direct Care Alliance, Inc.
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