UN News Service/A. McKee New York street view. UN experts point to possible labor rights violations for home care workers in New York Human rights
Independent UN human rights experts have expressed concern about the impact of the 24-hour shift system on staff providing home care services to older people and people with disabilities in New York. The statement comes amid ongoing discussions on legislative measures in this area. Workers in this sector recently went on a week-long hunger strike demanding that their shift lengths be halved.
According to information received by experts, many home care workers, most of whom are migrant women, are forced to work 24 hours at a time. This system is subsidized and administered by government agencies.
According to media reports, workers are paid only 13 hours out of a 24-hour shift, based on the fact that eight hours are allocated for sleeping and three for eating. However, in practice, care needs may prevent workers from using all this time for rest or food.
“We have serious concerns that this system may create conditions for exploitation of workers,” the experts said. They say the risks disproportionately affect migrant women and their families.
Risk of exploitation
Human rights activists have noted that the high proportion of migrant women among staff reflects the undervaluation of care work and gender inequality in the market, which can leave women vulnerable to exploitation and abuse. circulation.
Independent experts noted that the current situation may contain several signs of forced labor, as defined by the International Labor Organization (ILO). Also alarming are reports of victims’ lack of access to legal protection and compensation.
Experts have warned that working long hours without adequate rest can have serious consequences for employees’ physical and mental health, safety and family life. In addition, such conditions can affect the quality of care for older people and people with disabilities.
Staff, human rights activists recalled, must work in a safe and supportive environment, receive fair pay, have adequate time for rest and access to effective legal remedies.
UN experts called for these issues to be taken into account during the ongoing New York discussing measures related to 24-hour work shifts.
Respect for labor rights
Independent experts also raised concerns about the government’s perceived lack of adequate oversight of existing pay and working conditions laws. “We asked the government for information on measures taken to improve working conditions, provide access to effective remedies, and reform or abolish the 24-hour shift system in line with international human rights standards. However, to date, we have not received a response,” advocates said.
They called on all stakeholders to take these issues seriously and ensure that the rights, dignity and well-being of home care workers and their families are protected.
Experts are in contact with the United States government on this
The statement was signed by members of the UN Working Group on Discrimination against Women and Girls, as well as the Special Rapporteur on the rights of migrants, Gehad Madi, the Special Rapporteur on extreme poverty and human rights, Elena Carolina Díaz Galán, and the Special Rapporteur on contemporary forms of slavery, Katarina Schwartz.
Independent experts are appointed by the UN Human Rights Council. They are not UN employees and do not receive wages for their work. Experts act in their personal capacity and independently of governments or any organizations.