Op-Ed submitted on behalf of by East Bay Alliance for a Sustainable Economy supporter and Interfaith Committee Worker Justice member Rev. Sandhya Jha and ally at SF-CLUE (Clergy and Layity United for Economic Justice) Rev. Donna Wood.

Tuesday, March 8, is the 100 year anniversary of International Women's Day, celebrated around the world to mark the many achievements women have made in almost every field once open only to men. It began early in the 1900's with a struggle to win basic voting rights and better working conditions and wages. Some think there are no battles yet to be won, but let us not be deceived.  Women still struggle for basic rights amd equality in many places around the globe and even in our the United States.
 
One arena in the US where the struggle continues is that of the domestic worker where mostly women, a majority of who are the primary providers for their families, labor without the most basic of rights.  These workers have been structurally excluded from  most employment protections including the right to collective bargaining since the 1930's (National Labor Relations Act, 1935).  Such exclusions have led to many abuses including unfair wages, exploitation and a loss of dignity.  These are the individuals many of us trust with the care of our children and our homes. They are caregivers for our parents and other family members.

We write as women clergy to ask you to work with us to correct a great wrong.

The scriptures of our traditions demand that people of faith act with justice toward all people. From the days when Moses led the children of Israel out of Egypt, God's voice has called us to treat the laborer and the sojourner with justice. "Give them their wages..for they are poor, and their lives depend on it."(Deut. 24:14-15) When Jesus was asked what one must do to attain the kingdom of God, he responded "...love God with [all that you are]... and love your neighbor as yourself...." His words are echoed in many religious traditions in some version of the often quoted Golden Rule, "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you." These are wise words; for when we treat workers justly, they are inspired to do their best, and we all may benefit.

Legislation has been introduced A.B. 889, sponsored by Rep. Tom Ammiano and Rep. Manuel Perez,  that will provide for a Domestic Workers' Bill of Rights to benefit the 500,000 California domestic workers. It includes rights already extended to most workers including the right to paid sick days, the right to breaks, the right to overtime pay, the right to paid vacations, and the right to a safe and healthy workplace (currently excluded in CAL-OSHA requirements).

We can make this Bill of Rights a reality. We can end these systemic exclusions and bring justice to domestic workers and their families in the tradition of the millions of women who have gone before us and those who continue to fight for women everywhere.  Consider your relationship with the workers in your home.  It is the right thing to do.

Sincerely, 


Rev. Donna Wood,
Pastor, Park Presidio, United Methodist Church, San Francisco


Rev. Sandhya Rani Jha,
Pastor, First Christian Church of Oakland, Oakland