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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsObama admin boosts home care workers
Win/win for workers and those that need the help.
Posted with permission.
http://maddowblog.msnbc.com/_news/2013/09/17/20545592-obama-admin-boosts-home-care-workers?lite
Obama admin boosts home care workers
By Steve Benen
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Tue Sep 17, 2013 3:17 PM EDT
This is one of those small policy changes that can make a big difference in the lives of millions of Americans.
Advocates for low-wage workers have pushed for this change, asserting that home care workers, who care for elderly and disabled Americans, were wrongly classified into the same "companionship services" category as baby sitters -- a group that is exempt from minimum wage and overtime coverage. Under the new rule, home care aides, unlike baby sitters, would be protected under the Fair Labor Standards Act, the nation's main wage and hour law.
In an unusual move, the administration said the new regulation would not take effect until Jan. 1, 2015, even though regulations often take effect 60 days after being issued. The delay until 2015 is to give families that use these attendants, as well as state Medicaid programs, time to prepare for the new rule.
It's a hole in labor law that's often overlooked -- home care workers have been exempt for decades from federal wage requirements
The administration first announced the proposed change nearly two years ago, at which point a spirited debate unfolded, with congressional Republicans and the for-profit home care agencies lobbying aggressively against the change.
The Obama administration obviously disagreed. "What kind of a society are we, what kind of values do we stand for -- unless we ensure that those administering that care receive basic workplace protections under the law?" Labor Secretary Thomas Perez said in a statement.
The question for me is how this problem came to exist in the first place.
Sarah Kliff had a good write-up on the backstory.
For decades, home health aides existed in this companionship category and were exempted from federal minimum wage protections. The Department of Labor rule today moves them out of that exemption, meaning that they minimum wage standards now apply, as do overtime regulations, which require companies to pay time-and-a-half for any hours worked beyond a 40-hour work week.
The change appears long overdue.
Skittles
(153,254 posts)the need for these workers will increase greatly and it is important they be protected
Warpy
(111,406 posts)to compensate them for traveling time as well as costs associated with keeping up a car.
Agencies also need to stop charging clients three to five times what the worker is paid.
Cha
(297,890 posts)Scuba
(53,475 posts)babylonsister
(171,104 posts)And I totally agree with you. Way past time.
Spitfire of ATJ
(32,723 posts)Hekate
(90,930 posts)Or should their bosses be scrutinized?
Just out of curiosity: Have you ever needed to hire a home health worker, by the way?
Spitfire of ATJ
(32,723 posts)Now she could never do it because of the competition. It's become big business.
Hekate
(90,930 posts).... who barely make enough to live after changing grandma's diapers so you can have a life of your own?
Spitfire of ATJ
(32,723 posts)babylonsister
(171,104 posts)The administration first announced the proposed change nearly two years ago, at which point a spirited debate unfolded, with congressional Republicans and the for-profit home care agencies lobbying aggressively against the change.
Spitfire of ATJ
(32,723 posts)Hekate
(90,930 posts)... and this is a good start.
Kingofalldems
(38,500 posts)babylonsister
(171,104 posts)Kingofalldems
(38,500 posts)Actually K and R for visiting Ayn Rand worshipers.