We are proud to announce the launch of the CREATIVE CARE COUNCIL! LEARN MORE
POLL: AMERICANS VOICE STRONG SUPPORT FOR BOLD FEDERAL RESPONSE THAT PUTS WORKERS & FAMILIES FIRST
94% of Americans think the country wasn’t prepared to face the crisis, and nearly 70% believe major reform of the country’s response to the pandemic needed
Large majorities say the crisis has made them think about and value caregivers more
For Immediate Release: May 13, 2020
Caring Across Generations Contact: Janet Kim, janet@caringacross.org
NDWA Contact: Nidya Sarria-King, nidya@domesticworkers.org
WASHINGTON, DC – With House Democrats unveiling a new coronavirus rescue bill Tuesday, and Congress debating how big to go — and who to include — in the next round of relief, a new poll shows that Americans are now strongly in support of a bold federal response that puts workers and families first. The comprehensive new survey released today by Caring Across Generations and National Domestic Workers Alliance reveals how the coronavirus pandemic has dramatically changed our politics and Americans’ views of the role of government.
The survey finds that after long operating in the shadows and out of the public consciousness, this crisis has put domestic workers and care providers front and center. And Americans overwhelmingly agree: thanking essential workers is not enough.
Notably, the House bill released Tuesday features a Heroes Fund that would provide premium pay to a broad group of essential workers, including domestic workers, and closes loopholes in access to emergency paid sick days and paid family leave in previous relief efforts – provisions this survey suggests would enjoy broad popularity with the American public.
The survey also delves into questions of how this crisis has impacted American families’ day-to-day lives, employment situations, caregiving responsibilities, and views on what the government should be doing to care for frontline workers, working parents, and family caregivers. Among other things, the survey finds that:
“In every major crisis, domestic workers have always played a critical role in America’s emergency response, and have done so overworked, underpaid, and without the same protections afforded to other frontline workers,” said Ai-jen Poo, Director of the National Domestic Workers Alliance and Caring Across Generations. “Finally, these essential workers are beginning to receive the recognition they deserve – and Americans are realizing that simply thanking them is not enough.”
“The coronavirus pandemic and the ensuing economic crisis have foregrounded the gaping holes in our care infrastructure,” Poo continued. “Across America, too many American families have been forced to face the crisis alone and navigate it without a safety net. Americans support a bold care agenda that will put more money in their pockets, enhance their families’ well-being, and put their dreams of security within reach.”
Federal response out-of-touch with what American families actually want and expect
Essential and frontline workers are out of the shadows
Due to COVID-19, Americans are placing more value in many workers who are frequently overlooked in society for the critical work they provide:
Response to COVID-19 has dramatically changed Americans’ fundamental beliefs
Americans broadly recognize the essential role of paid and family caregiving
Hart Research conducted the survey on May 1-4, 2020. To learn more, see the TOPLINES and RESEARCH.
# # #
About National Domestic Workers Alliance
National Domestic Workers Alliance (NDWA) is the leading voice for dignity and fairness for millions of domestic workers in the United States. Founded in 2007, NDWA works for respect, recognition and inclusion in labor protections for domestic workers, the majority of whom are immigrants and women of color. NDWA is powered by over 60 affiliate organizations and local chapters and by a growing membership base of nannies, house cleaners and care workers in over 20 states. NDWA has created Alia, an online platform to help domestic workers access benefits, not otherwise granted to them, in addition to proposing a National Domestic Workers Bill of Rights with Senator Kamala Harris and Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal. Learn more about the domestic workers movement on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
About Caring Across Generations:
Caring Across Generations is an intersectional campaign working to make care more affordable and accessible at every stage of life, while making sure caregivers are treated with respect and dignity. Founded in 2011 by workers’ rights activists Sarita Gupta and Ai-jen Poo, we’re focused on creating change in three ways: organizing a powerful movement of the Caring Majority, fighting for groundbreaking policy at the state level and federal level, and changing hearts and minds through storytelling and leveraging pop culture. For more information, please visit caringacross.org.