A caregiver, who goes by “Manuel” to hide his identity, said work conditions can be difficult. But he feels helpless complaining about the long hours and low wages because he is undocumented.  “That’s how it is when you don’t have a legal immigration status. I can’t complain. Plus, I need to earn money and I need to kee p this job,” said the undocumented caregiver.

Filipino and Latino caregivers are teaming up to draft the C.A.R.E. Act — which stands for Caring for the Aging, Respecting, and Educating our direct care workforce.  Under the C.A.R.E. Act, the National Domestic Workers Alliance hopes to create 3 million caregiver jobs over the next five years. They hope to create a union for caregivers that would give proper training and improve wages and work conditions, even for those who are undocumented. A visa for undocumented caregivers would eventually be a path towards legalizing their stay.  Jill Shenker, Organizer for the National Domestic Workers Alliance said, “We know from our experience, that there’s a lack of protection that direct care workers and domestic workers are excluded from. So we need to remove those exclusions, and ensure that these workers have dignified quality and working conditions and have the right to organize.”

For undocumented caregivers, the Act would protect them against labor abuse and threats of deportation.  “I couldn’t complain because my employer made me sign a contract that prohibited me from doing so,” explained another undocumented caregiver who declined to reveal her identity. (click on link to read full story)