"Nassau County - Long Island, New York"

Nassau County Presiding Officer Judy Jacobs (Woodbury) joined this week with her Majority colleagues in approving a local law on May 15 establishing a Bill of Rights to protect domestic and household workers, women in particular, from unfair labor practices, exploitation and abuse.

The legislation, sponsored by Legislator Dave Mejias (D-North Massapequa) amends the County’s administrative code to require that a written Bill of Rights and a contract of agreed upon job conditions is furnished to each prospective domestic or household employee in the appropriate language by any licensed agency before the job placement is arranged.

“We have the responsibility to ensure that all of our residents are afforded an equal opportunity for a workplace environment without fear of exploitation,” said Legislator Jacobs. “The failure of an employer to provide such equal opportunity because of sexual or racial discrimination or intolerance not only threatens the rights and proper privileges of their employees, but compromises the general welfare of the county and its inhabitants.”

A vast majority of domestic workers in Nassau County are women who may be preyed upon and exploited because of sexual or racial discrimination and language barriers. The law goes into effect in 180 days.

The Rules Committee also approved at the May 15 session several permits for day camps to utilize the county’s parks and facilities during the 2006 summer season. The three-year use permit will allow the following day camps to use county parks: Crestwood Country Day School to utilize Cantiague Park’s facilities for a fee of $22,110 in 2006; $33,465 for 2007 and $42,465 for 2008 and a percentage of the gross revenues from camper enrollment; Girl Scouts of Nassau County, Inc to utilize Cantiague and Wantagh Park’s facilities for an eight-week, weekday season at a cost of $28,094 and a percentage of the gross revenues from camper enrollment.; Children’s Services, for the use of facilities at Christopher Morley Park in Roslyn for an eight-week, weekday season, in addition, the county will receive $26,550 in 2006, $45,000 for 2007 and $69,563 for 2008 and a percentage of the gross revenues from camper enrollment; Woodmont Sports, Inc. for the use of Wantagh Park’s facilities for an eight-week, weekday season,the county will receive $38,940 and a percentage the gross revenue from camper enrollment.

Jacobs & Legislature approve Domestic Workers Bill of Rights