San Francisco city leaders have approved a groundbreaking new law that requires employers to give nannies, house cleaners, gardeners, and other domestic workers paid sick leave.
On Tuesday, December 14, the city's Board of Supervisors unanimously passed the legislation, which is the first of its kind in the U.S., according to the San Francisco Chronicle.
The measure will affect 10,000 people in San Francisco who work in private homes cleaning, cooking, gardening, caring for children, or providing non-medical care for seniors or disabled residents, reports NPR.
"I think these people have been taking care of people in San Francisco for a long time, and it's about time we care for them," said Supervisor Myrna Melgar, who co-sponsored the measure along with Supervisor Hillary Ronen.
Supporters of the law said the workforce is usually low-paid with many women and immigrants. The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic also highlighted the vulnerability of domestic workers.
"If they became ill with the virus, if a family member became ill with the virus, they had no choice," said executive director of the California Domestic Workers Coalition Kimberly Alvarenga. "This ordinance will provide some equity so when they become ill, they can take a day to take care of themselves, children or family members."
Before the measure takes effect, it will need a second vote by the supervisors and must be signed by Mayor London Breed.
Then, NPR reports, it would take several months for the city to hire a private company to administer the benefits program.