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My name is Ai-jen Poo, senior advisor to Care in Action -- an organization building the civic power of women of color -- and I've spent years advocating for Universal Family Care (universal access to child care, long-term care and paid family leave, and more) as a labor activist.
Women of color are dying at higher rates from COVID-19. Those who work as essential workers -- like nannies, home care workers, and cleaners -- have risked it all to keep us safe. Yet they came into the crisis undervalued as "the help," systematically left out of labor laws that protect other workers, like paid time off and overtime pay.
Donald Trump has exacerbated the brutal impact of the pandemic on these workers.
Today, Joe Biden announced his vision for the future of care, part of his Build Back Better agenda. He acknowledged the lack of investment in our care systems and the undeniable value of caregivers. And he proposed real solutions to improve their lives and, in turn, improve all of our lives -- backed up by real investments.
Biden's plan will:
- Provide caregivers more dignity and respect through increased pay, benefits, and career training.
- Improve workers' rights and conditions through the Domestic Workers' Bill of Rights
- Ensure access to high-quality, affordable child care and offer universal preschool to three-and four-year olds. No family will spend more than 7% of their income on child care.
- Expand access to a broad array of long-term services for older Americans by eliminating the current waitlist for home and community services under Medicaid; expanding home and community-based alternatives to care that allows unpaid caregivers to work; and improving caregiving in our nation's most underserved communities by adding 150,000 community health workers
This plan is one of many steps we need to take to center a care economy.
In contrast, Donald Trump has consistently insulted and debased the work of our caregivers. He denied them the protective equipment they need to stay safe. Calls them "essential" but denies them basic hazard pay or legal protections. And he, along with Senate Republicans, are stalling on passing the HEROES Act to provide Americans the relief they need now.
There is no going back to normal after COVID-19. The old normal was not good enough. Joe Biden knows it's time we prioritize care -- it's the only future that will ensure we all live with the respect, protection, and dignity we deserve. His plan gives real meaning to the phrase Build Back Better.
Thank you to PCCC members for standing with domestic workers and caregivers during this trying moment in our history. Together, we will pull through this and be strong as we fight for a bold, progressive agenda.
Thank you for your solidarity.
-- Ai-jen Poo
