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Nanny Bill of Rights Causing Political Temper Tantrums

06142010nanny.jpg The final legislative step in ratifying the nation's first-ever bill of rights for nannies, maids, and other domestic workers is set to be taken by NY State Senate, provided it is still functioning. Legislation was already passed two weeks ago guaranteeing protections for the 200,000 NYC household workers, like paid overtime past 40 hours a week, five paid vacation and seven paid sick days, six paid national holidays, and two weeks notice of termination.

The bill, sponsored by State Senator Diane Savino (D-Brooklyn, Staten Island), would protect all domestic workers, regardless of immigration status or whether they work on or off the books—and it's set off a raging debate. Daily Intel summarizes the various debates: The left worries it would be entirely unenforceable; a Daily News editorial calls the bill "a classic example of Albany Democrats running amok"; and the garden variety Tea Partier worries that it protects and therefore legitimizes illegal workers.

Savino told Daily Intel, “It's already against the law to hire someone in this country illegally. And if you do employ someone illegally, you are still required to follow the labor law. We're not extending anything that labor law doesn't already do.”

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  • chunk

    Unless Albany can find a way to mandate that the laws of economics stop functioning, this bill will have two related effects: the number of newly unemployed nannies will dwarf the number of nannies who ever see a dime of increased compensation or benefits, and you'll see a massive outflow of women from the workplace. But, you knew that already, right?

  • jpeditor

    "They are willing to do work that Americans won't do at such a low price because American have access to the social services safety net."

    What a pile of crap.

    a/ they are hired because the businesses that hire them underbid businesses that wont and Americans shop on price which is partly based on cost.

    American's can't even get hired to work at those low wages as the contractors know that legal Americans will demand to be paid on time and be covered by WC which many businesses that hire illegals either don't carry or under-report their payrolls.

    b/ And the "safety net" is offered to the illegals WAY more than to legal americans. If you don't have insurance and wind up in a hospital and you are illegal, they sign you up for medicaid (which is BANKRUPTING NY); if you are legal you have to show id and get billed up the wazoo and unless you are making nothing, YOU PAY FULL PRICE and get chased for it.

    (and this BS obamacare will solve NOTHING).

  • chrysler5thavenue

    American's can't even get hired to work at those low wages as the contractors know that legal Americans will demand to be paid on time and be covered by WC which many businesses that hire illegals either don't carry or under-report their payrolls.

    Yeah, that's pretty much what was meant by "They are willing to do work that Americans won't do at such a low price because American have access to the social services safety net." You're actually agreeing.

    if you are legal you have to show id

    Hey genius, they're not going to know you're legal before you show id.

    Try to work these things out in your mind out before getting enraged/posting publicly.

  • jpeditor

    "Hey genius, they're not going to know you're legal before you show id."

    So you are advocating that Americans break the law / scam the system like the illegals do. GREAT FIX, GENIUS.

    Maybe you can get a job shining Øbowmao's shoes.

    Have any more ideas to BANKRUPT MEDICAID?

  • chrysler5thavenue

    Looks like you've jumped to another conclusion without thinking it through. I'm just pointing out the errors in your logic. I'm not advocating anything other than critical thought and coherent discourse. Now settle down.

  • jpeditor

    Spoken like a true obamunist. You must be a lawyer for Al Sharpton.

  • Stewart

    The law says that you have to follow labor laws regardless of immigration status.

    A few years ago there were some day laborers on Long Island that were cheated out of their pay and sued the contractor that hired them for months of back wages. The court agreed with the day laborers even though they were illegal immigrants.

    People hire illegal immigrants because they want to exploit them, plain and simple. They are willing to do work that Americans won't do at such a low price because American have access to the social services safety net.

  • the anti-immigrant line is interesting since its not having to treat illegal immigrants fairly that encourages people to hire illegal immigrants.

  • VanessaNYC

    Yes! Exactly. The Tea Partiers should be on board with this legislation.

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