Joblessness among domestic worker respondents was at 16% in May.
![Joblessness among domestic worker respondents was at 16% in May.]()
Joblessness among domestic worker respondents was at 16% in May.
![Joblessness among domestic worker respondents was at 16% in May.]()
Reported housing insecurity and affordability of regular expenses worsened.
Reported housing insecurity and affordability of regular expenses worsened.
Source: La Alianza surveys, NDWA Labs
Released: June 7, 2024
The Domestic Workers Economic Situation Report analyzes the economic situation of domestic workers and is released on the same day as the US Bureau of Labor Statistics monthly Jobs Report. Based on weekly surveys with thousands of Spanish-speaking domestic workers across the country, these reports cover jobs, wages and food and housing security.
The most recent Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Employment Situation Report shows nonfarm payroll job growth was well above market expectations, while the unemployment rate ticked up slightly. [1]
NDWA’s May data shows that joblessness increased minimally for surveyed domestic workers, from 15% in March and April to 16% in May. Joblessness remains higher than the rate of 9% who reported having no jobs before COVID-19. [2]
Domestic workers are the nannies, home care workers, and house cleaners whose work is essential to our economy, and yet they are one of the most vulnerable and marginalized groups of workers. They work in private homes, and often have multiple employers. This means they may have to schedule several jobs in a given week in order to make ends meet. Domestic workers earn less than the average US worker and are three times as likely to be living in poverty [2].
La Alianza survey data from Spanish-speaking domestic workers shows how respondents continue to face low wages and high levels of unemployment and underemployment.