Bill For Homecare Workers Still Pending Approval

Delays in the final stage of a legislation that will provide homecare workers with overtime pay and minimum wage is making the sector nervous that it may not go through in time.

The Companionship Services Exemption, enacted in 1974 by Congress, is meant to exclude casual companions for the senior citizens and babysitters from minimum wage requirements and overtime pay and not to waive government pay guidelines for professionally-trained caregivers.

And after years of failed attempts in changing the guidelines, US President has announced last year of plans to alter the exemption and apply the wage protections to homecare workers under private agencies. Because of this almost 1.8 million homecare workers will potentially see a pay increase under this plan.

However, after extending the period of public comment for two times, the Labor Department has not finalize the rule change yet and will need to be approved by the President and published in the National Register — all before it takes any effect, apparently for scam prevention. The workforce comprising the homecare industry is made up of minorities, older women or immigrants who provide services that are not covered in the expected law, such as giving medications, preparing meals and helping in physical therapy.

And due to the __ benefits, low pay and laborious work, the homecare industry is seeing an increase in its turnover rate. Many are anxious that this could le...