New California law grants long-overdue safety and labor protections to domestic workers—most of them Latina immigrants—marking a historic step toward dignity and equity in the home workforce
Domestic workers—those who cook, clean, and care for others’ families—have operated for decades in the shadows of labor law. They were excluded from key provisions of the Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA) due to the unique nature of their workplaces: private homes. This exclusion left workers vulnerable to a range of hazards, from toxic cleaning agents to grueling physical demands, often without access to legal recourse.
Now, with the implementation of this new law, Cal/OSHA will be empowered to oversee safety standards in private households. The law ensures domestic workers receive the same protections granted to other employees in California, including proper equipment, reasonable rest breaks, and a safe work environment.
According to data from the National Domestic Workers Alliance, approximately 90% of domestic workers in California are women, and 74% identify as Latina. Many are undocumented, further compounding their vulnerability. These workers have historically been invisible not only in labor laws but also in the public eye, often referred to as “the help” instead of recognized professionals.
“This law is not just about safety—it’s about dignity,” said Maria Reyes, a live-in caregiver from East Los Angeles and an advocate with the California Domestic Workers Coalition. “It says we matter. That our health, our work, and our lives are valuable.”
The legislation doesn’t just hand over new rights—it requires the state to ensure workers and employers know about them. That includes launching multilingual outreach campaigns, neighborhood visits, and easily accessible legal support.
“This approach is key,” noted Patricia Juarez, a labor rights attorney. “Many domestic workers face language barriers, fear retaliation, or don’t have the time or resources to file complaints. The law anticipates that and builds support into the rollout.”
In addition to legal protections, domestic workers are set to receive long-awaited economic recognition. Beginning August 2025, a new wage agreement between worker representatives and the Secretary of Labor will deliver staggered pay increases and non-remunerative compensation to account for months without raises earlier this year.
Under the new scale:
- A 3.5% wage increase is retroactive for June, followed by 1% monthly increases through September.
- Fixed non-remunerative payments range from ARS $4,000 to $9,500, depending on weekly hours worked.
- Minimum monthly wages will rise to ARS $370,833 for live-out workers and ARS $412,362 for live-in workers working 24+ hours per week.
- Workers in remote or disadvantaged regions, such as Patagonia, will receive a 30% premium over the base salary.
This financial update complements the legal protections and underscores a growing recognition of domestic work as essential labor worthy of respect and regulation.
Another cornerstone of the reform is mandatory worker registration through the ARCA system, a digital platform that ensures access to benefits like:
- Retirement contributions
- Occupational accident insurance
- Health care coverage
Employers must provide detailed information about their employees—including hours, tasks, and pay—to complete the registration. Failure to do so could result in penalties, signaling a new era of accountability for household employers.
California now joins states like New York and Massachusetts in pioneering stronger protections for domestic workers. But advocates stress that this is just a beginning.
“This law puts California on the map as a leader in labor justice,” said Ai-jen Poo, president of the National Domestic Workers Alliance. “But we need the rest of the country to catch up. Domestic workers everywhere deserve the same respect and protection.”
For the estimated 300,000 domestic workers in California—many of them Latina immigrants—this law is more than a policy change. It’s a long-overdue recognition of their humanity and labor. And for the rest of the nation, it offers a blueprint for equity in a sector that has too often been ignored.
Sidebar: Key Facts About Domestic Workers in California
- Latina Women: Represent the majority (74%) of domestic workers in the state.
- Undocumented Status: Nearly 45% lack legal work authorization, increasing vulnerability.
- Wage Gaps: Domestic workers earn approximately 60% less than the average California worker.
- Injury Rates: High due to physical labor, repetitive motion, and exposure to chemicals—yet historically unregulated.
- Historic Exclusion: Domestic workers were left out of the 1935 National Labor Relations Act and other key labor protections for decades.
