The Senate Labor & Commerce Committee meeting on January 20, 2025, spotlighted the urgent need for the Domestic Workers Bill of Rights, Senate Bill 5023, as advocates passionately called for protections for domestic workers across Washington State. Testimonies from several domestic workers highlighted the harsh realities they face, including lack of sick leave, unpaid overtime, and the constant threat of exploitation due to their immigration status.

Monica, a seasoned nanny, shared her struggles, stating, "I never had sick leave days... I want to raise my voice and try to avoid anybody else going through what I had to go through." Her sentiments echoed throughout the meeting, as other workers like Adilka Dominguez and Guadalupe Paredes also expressed their support for the bill, emphasizing the need for dignity and justice in their work. Paredes recounted her experience of being overworked and underpaid, stating, "It is urgent that the Washington workers bill of rights be passed now so that we have a guarantee that this will no longer happen to anyone else."

Senator Bob Hasegawa, a prime sponsor of the bill, reinforced the importance of protecting all workers, particularly undocumented immigrants who make up a significant portion of the workforce. He noted, "The inability for an undocumented immigrant... to complain about not getting paid is un-American." Hasegawa's remarks underscored the broader implications of the bill, linking worker rights to economic stability and fairness.

The meeting also addressed Senate Bill 5104, aimed at preventing workplace coercion based on immigration status. Advocates argued that this legislation is crucial for holding employers accountable and ensuring that all workers can report abuses without fear of retaliation. Jeremiah Miller from the Fair Work Center highlighted the pervasive issue of immigration status coercion, stating, "People we work with are routinely threatened over their immigration status."

As the committee concluded the testimony, the overwhelming support for the Domestic Workers Bill of Rights was clear, with 460 individuals signing in favor and only 304 against. The committee's next steps will be pivotal in determining the future protections for domestic workers in Washington, as advocates continue to push for justice and equity in the workplace.