By Cecilia Ologunagba
Independent UN human rights experts have raised concerns over a government-subsidised system that requires some homecare workers in New York City to work 24-hour shifts.
The workers, predominantly migrant women, embarked on a hunger strike between late July and early August to protest working conditions and alleged underpayment under state law.
“We are seriously concerned that the reported system may enable exploitative practices and that it has a disproportionate impact on migrant women and their families,” the UN Human Rights Council-appointed experts said.
Under New York State’s Medicaid-funded homecare system, employers are required to pay workers for 13 hours of a 24-hour shift, based on the assumption that the remaining 11 hours are spent eating and sleeping.
The experts said the concentration of migrant women in homecare reflected the persistent undervaluation of care work and gender inequalities in labour markets.
They warned that the arrangement could expose workers to heightened risks of exploitation and abuse.
The experts also said the conditions could amount to forced labour under International Labour Organisation standards.
They urged local and state authorities to improve working conditions, ensure access to effective remedies and reform or abolish the 24-hour workday system in line with international human rights standards.
“Homecare workers must be able to enjoy just, favourable and safe working conditions, adequate rest, fair remuneration, protection of their rights, and access to effective remedies,” they said.
The independent experts, appointed by the UN Human Rights Council, serve in their individual capacities and do not receive salaries from the UN or represent the organisation as staff members. (NAN) www.nannews.ng