The report asserts that in the worst cases, domestic workers can be victims in trafficking; but even those studied who came to the United States legally with A-3, G-5 or B-1 visas suffer one or more forms of abuse, including wages far below minimum wage and long (14-hour) work hours. They also may have to ask their employer’s permission before they leave the premises. Despite abusive treatment, some stay in their situation rather than face possible deportation. Recommendations to alleviate the situation include that employment requirements for these workers should be binding legal provisions, and that the Department of Labor should have the authority and resources to enforce and monitor compliance; that Congress should pass legislation allowing abused workers to transfer their visas to work for a new employer; thatCongress pass legislation allowing for temporary visas for workers who leave their employer and lose their immigration status and filed civil or criminal complaint; and that Congress should amend the Fair Labor Standards Act overtime protections, the National Labor Relations Act and Title VII sexual harassment protection to cover domestic workers, and repeal its regulation excluding live-in domestic workers from the Occupational Safety and Health Act.
