Requires farm workers and domestic workers to be given at least 24 hours of consecutive rest

BILL NUMBER:S671

Title of bill

An act to amend the labor law, in relation to allowing farm workers and domestic workers one day of rest each week

Purpose

To allow farm workers and domestic workers to have one day of rest a week like other employees in New York State.

Summary of provisions

Section 1 amends labor law section 161 to allow farm workers and domestic workers 24 hours of rest in each calendar week.

Section 2 amends labor law section 161 (2) to make conforming changes for farm workers.

Section 3 adds new sections to the labor law to allow farm workers and domestic workers who voluntarily refuse 24 hours of rest to be compensated at a rate of at least one and a half times the worker's normal wage rate.

Justification

The day of rest provision was enacted to protect the health of the State's workforce. Although a business can increase its output with an additional day of labor, the Legislature has determined that this interest must give way to the interest of ensuring that the workforce is healthy.

Farm work and domestic work are labor intensive, far in excess of many other occupations. The rationale for granting a day off applies as much, if not more, to farm workers and domestic workers.

Prior legislative history

2009-2010: A.611 Referred to Labor 2007-2008: A.2717 Referred to Labor 2005-2006: A.2855 Referred to Labor 2003-2004: A.9873 Advanced to 3rd reading

Fiscal implications

None to the state.

Effective date

Immediate]y.