New York domestic workers on hunger strike to ban 24-hour shifts

A group of immigrant women who care for the elderly and patients in their homes today declared a five-day hunger strike in front of New York City Hall, demanding that a bill be approved that would end the “inhuman” 24-hour work shift.

“No more 24 hour shift” shouted the workers, mostly Asian and Latino, and others who, although retired, arrived at the place where they will remain until next Monday to support them in their demand.

The workers demand that a bill that was presented three years ago by Councilman Christopher Marte, of Dominican origin, be put to a vote and blame Council President Adrienne Adams, who opposes the measure, for being an obstacle because he is the one who decides the agenda of the municipal legislative body.

The project seeks to reduce the working day from 24 to 12 hours, which already exists for female workers in the state. In this way, patients would have two people taking care of them in shifts of 12 hours each. Now, although they work 24 hours, they are only paid for 13 hours, which is why they have claimed wage theft. and “racial injustice”.

Today the workers told their stories and how their health has been affected by caring for patients who, in addition to cooking for them, cleaning their house, washing their clothes, changing diapers, taking them to medical appointments, moving them in bed to prevent skin ulcers, clean them, especially when it comes to people with Alzheimer’s, which does not allow them to sleep.

Luz Estrella, a Dominican, joined the hunger strike. She worked 24-hour shifts for 12 years. “I have never spent Christmas or New Years with my family. They stole my health, my life and my salary. Speaker Adams, be aware, you are a woman too. End this shift, this torture,” she noted.

Many of them, they said, have had to undergo hand and shoulder surgery, affected by the effort they have had to make with the patients, as happened with the Dominican Epifanía Hinches, who for 17 years cared for patients at home, double duty. turn, among them with Alzheimer’s.

Councilor Marte, author of the project, stated that “no one in 2024 should work 24-hour shifts“, and regretted that “the most progressive city refuses to do anything” by these workers, who are mostly women.

He recalled that this happens precisely at a time when for the first time the municipal Council is made up of a majority of women. According to Marte, silence has been the response of the Council presidency regarding why this project is not approved.

Support for the project was reduced from 25 councilors last year to only 11 this year and according to Marte it is because they received a call from the Council presidency not to support their proposal, which also faces rejection from the companies that they employ them and other groups that have made their voices heard.