Domestic workers long to be heard and have more voice in the decisions that affect their day-to-day lives. This was revealed in a recent report showing that the majority feel they do not have enough voice or influence over their jobs.
The report, written by La Alianza in collaboration with experts from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), is the result of a series of surveys of 1,600 Spanish-speaking domestic workers about various aspects of their jobs.
Labor conditions and wages were the aspects over which the workers believe they should have more influence and voice than what they currently have
There was also a clear link between the amount of voice that workers felt they had and their overall well-being: the less voice they had, the worse their sense of well-being.
Wages, One of the Greatest Hurdles
The report on worker voice shows that those who make $15 an hour or less feel that they have less of a voice at work, compared with those who make higher wages.
Agencies vs. Independent Workers
Housecleaners, as well as nannies and home care workers who are employed by agencies, expressed that they had less voice at work when compared with workers hired by individual clients.
Many said that, when working for an agency, they must accept the conditions imposed by the agency, which limits their ability to establish their own expectations and working conditions. They also noted that, when there is a disagreement, the agencies frequently take the client’s side.
On the other hand, self-employed workers note that they can negotiate the terms of their work from the beginning and they have more control over what they agree to.
One self-employed worker mentioned that the Department of Labor’s sample contracts have helped her in the negotiation process, as they provide a model for establishing clear boundaries with employers.
Limited English proficiency: a Challenge for Housecleaners
For housecleaners, the ability to speak English was one of the factors associated with having more influence over the decisions related to their work. Those that could speak basic or no English felt that they had less voice than those who speak advanced English.
According to data from the Economic Policy Institute, almost 63% of housecleaners are of Hispanic origin.
Having a limited English proficiency is an obstacle that housecleaners have regularly mentioned when it comes to successfully negotiating their job conditions.
“I can hold a little conversation about the business, what the cleaning entails, what I’ll be working on, but I couldn’t have a more in-depth conversation with someone,” Carolina Serrano once told La Alianza.
Fear of not knowing the language has also made many of these women remain in jobs where many of their rights are violated.
Work Experience: An Impediment for Nannies and Home Care Workers
According to the report, those that had less work experience (5 years or less) felt that they had more voice than more experienced workers.
Among other reasons, some nannies expressed that this may happen because, as the relationship with the employing family strengthens, the expectations also change. What was originally a clear agreement could become more vague, leading to the worker taking on more responsibilities without adequate compensation.
They also say that emotional closeness and the perception of being part of the family can lead to workers prioritizing the needs of the family over their own.
For some home care workers, however, years of work experience has allowed them to recognize their value and, with time, they have learned to establish clearer expectations and ask for additional compensation.
They report that as they spend more time in a position, they are able to develop a more trusting relationship with their employers, which allows them to express their needs and concerns more effectively.
Editor’s note: This article was originally written in Spanish and translated into English by Tilde Language Justice Cooperative
