Classifing Domestic Workers as Employees

Testimony in support of SB2021
An Act Related to Labor and Labor Relations – Minimum Wages
Classifies Domestic Workers as Employees
Senate Committee on Labor
April 24, 2024
Kavya Gopinath, Policy Analyst, Economic Progress Institute

The Economic Progress Institute supports Senator Felix’s Euer’s SB2021, which would require domestic workers to be paid at least minimum wage by ending the exclusion of individuals who work as domestic workers from the legal definition of an “employee” in Rhode Island statute.

Rhode Islanders value hard work and fairness, and we all deserve to earn a living wage. There is no compelling reason to maintain the existing employment distinction for domestic workers. Indeed, under current law, Rhode Island’s approximately 5,371 domestic workers1, who often work long hours, can be subject to low wages and deductions for room and board from already low wages1. Many of them work for multiple employers and need to schedule several jobs in a week just to meet basic needs. Often, their work may involve childcare, delivering critical services to older adults and people with disabilities by providing on-hands health care, running errands, making meals and cleaning homes so that these individuals may live independently.

Ensuring domestic workers are paid (at least) minimum wage would improve equity in Rhode Island, because women and people of color tend to disproportionately be employed as domestic workers. Domestic workers are essential to our economy, yet they are some of the most vulnerable and marginalized workers.

By classifying these individuals as employees – which is what they are – these individuals would qualify to be paid the state’s minimum wage. Furthermore, it will end longstanding exemptions from employment laws. The Economic Progress Institute urges the passage of SB2021.