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PUBLIC TESTIMONY
Testimony by Salua Baida, Member of Hand in Hands, Domestic Employers Network
2:31:38
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Salua Baida, a member of Hand in Hands, Domestic Employers Network, testified about the importance of domestic workers' rights and the need for continued funding for the Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP) and the NYC Coalition for Domestic Works' Domestic Worker Employer Empowerment Initiative. She emphasized the unique challenges of enforcing labor laws in domestic work settings and the importance of education for both workers and employers.
- Baida urged for an $800,000 investment in the NYC Coalition for Domestic Works' Domestic Worker Employer Empowerment Initiative.
- She highlighted the isolated nature of domestic work and the power dynamics that make enforcement of labor laws challenging.
- Baida stressed the importance of proactive education and outreach to prevent wage theft and exploitation of domestic workers.
Salua Baida
2:31:38
Hello there.
2:31:39
My name is Salu Abaida.
2:31:40
I've been unmuted.
2:31:41
May I speak?
Julie Menin
2:31:42
Yes.
2:31:43
Absolutely.
2:31:44
Yes.
Salua Baida
2:31:45
Thank you so much.
2:31:45
Give me just one moment, please.
2:31:47
I am in fact getting the kiddos home from the bus stop, so thank you for your patience.
2:31:53
I knew this would happen the moment that I walked in that happens and away from my Wi Fi.
2:32:00
Just one moment, please.
2:32:04
Wonderful.
2:32:04
Thank you, chairwoman Menon and members of the committee for the opportunity to testify today.
2:32:09
My name is Salua Abaida, and I am a proud domestic employer and member of Hand in Hands, the Domestic Employers Network.
2:32:17
This is a group where employers actually advocate for the rights of their employees.
2:32:22
So I come before you today Mommy.
2:32:24
Not only as an employer I understand that, New York.
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Not only as an employer or as a parent, but also as the daughter of a former domestic worker.
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You see, my mother was a house cleaner and a home attendant to elders when I was a kiddo.
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So my mother and I understand firsthand how critical it is for workers to know their rights and for employers to understand their responsibilities.
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Domestic workers, the nannies, house cleaners, and home care workers who make all other work possible, they have long been excluded from basic labor protections.
2:32:54
Over the past decade, New York City has made incredible strides in righting this historic wrong through legislation like the Domestic Workers' Bill of Rights and Intro three three nine.
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But passing laws is only the first step.
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The real challenge is making sure that workers and employers alike know these rights exist and that these laws are upheld.
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And that's why I'm here today from the bus stop to urge you to continue funding the Department of Consumer and Worker Protection, DCWP, and to invest $800,000 in the NYC Coalition for Domestic Works, Domestic Worker Employer Empowerment Initiative, which has done critical outreach and education in partnership with CCWP.
2:33:37
Now the nature of domestic work, as we know, it's isolated, it's behind closed doors, and it's often between individuals with language and cultural differences with serious power dynamics at play.
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Because work inside the home makes the enforcement of labor laws uniquely challenging.
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So without proactive education and outreach, many workers remain in the dark, vulnerable to wage and theft exploitation.
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And without clear guidance, many employers, even those who wanna do right by their employees, are left unsure of just how to provide just and legal working conditions.
2:34:09
So our coalition in partnership with DCWP Time expired.
2:34:12
Thank directly excuse me?
UNKNOWN
2:34:16
Time expired.
2:34:17
Thank you.
Salua Baida
2:34:19
Oh, thank you very much.
Julie Menin
2:34:21
Thank you very much for your testimony.
2:34:23
We appreciate it very much.
2:34:24
Thank you.
Salua Baida
2:34:25
Thank you as well.