JOBLESSNESS AMONG SURVEYED DOMESTIC WORKERS INCREASED TO 18% IN NOVEMBER
REPORTED ECONOMIC SECURITY IMPROVED
Domestic Workers Economic Situation Report · November 2024
Source: La Alianza surveys, NDWA
Released: December 6, 2024
The most recent Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Employment Situation Report shows employment growth in line with expectations. At the same time, the general unemployment rate ticked up. [1]
NDWA’s November data shows that joblessness increased slightly among surveyed domestic workers. Joblessness has remained between 17% and 18% since August. While this is still within the lower end of joblessness rates we have seen since the pandemic began, it remains twice the rate of 9% who reported having no jobs before COVID-19. [2]
Domestic workers are the nannies, homecare workers, and house cleaners whose work is essential to our economy, yet they are some of the most vulnerable and marginalized workers. They work in private homes and often have multiple employers, meaning they may have to schedule several jobs to make ends meet. Domestic workers earn less than the average US worker and are three times as likely to be living in poverty. [3]
La Alianza survey data from Spanish-speaking domestic workers shows how respondents continue to face low wages and high levels of unemployment and underemployment.
November Jobs Report - Bureau of Labor Statistics
The BLS releases a monthly Employment Situation Summary with employment and other labor market data. It’s an important report to keep track of how the economy is doing. However, domestic workers and other vulnerable workers are underrepresented in official data. [4] Here, we present an overview of the BLS Jobs report along with NDWA’s data, which shows the employment and economic situation of thousands of Spanish-speaking domestic workers.
On December 6, the BLS released new employment data for November 2024.
The number of jobs added was at market expectations.
The general unemployment rate ticked up.
The seasonally adjusted unemployment rate for Latina women remained the same while the unadjusted rate increased slightly.
The unemployment rate for Black women increased.
The unemployment rates for Black and Latinx adults continue to be higher compared to the rates for white adults.
Average hourly earnings for employees in private nonfarm payrolls increased.
NDWA’s November data on joblessness trended similarly to BLS’ not seasonally adjusted data on Latina unemployment, both slightly increasing. While the share of joblessness for surveyed workers is not directly comparable to the unemployment rate nationwide,* looking at trends in the data for surveyed Spanish-speaking domestic workers in the context of national trends can support our understanding of the sector as it relates to the broader economy.
November Domestic Worker Economic Situation
Below are the main findings on the economic situation of surveyed Spanish-speaking domestic workers in November. Note that monthly numbers may be volatile, which is why we look at the findings as they relate to prior trends in the data and the economic situation of the overall economy. At the end of each quarter, we calculate quarterly averages for key economic indicators.
Jobs and Wages
Joblessness increased slightly to 18% in November from 17% in October
After increasing from 15% in August, Joblessness has remained between 17% and 18%.
Underemployment increased from 64% to 67%.
However, it remains fairly consistent with underemployment rates from the rest of the year.
The main reason for underemployment in November was that workers could not find clients (59%), followed by having a health problem (16%), taking care of a family member (14%), and “other” (11%).
The wage distribution improved slightly, with 52% of working respondents earning less than $15 per hour in November, compared to 53% the prior month.
Economic Security
Food scarcity improved in November.
82% of domestic worker respondents said their households faced food scarcity either often (16%) or sometimes (66%).
Housing insecurity improved in November, decreasing from 55% to 52%.
While this is a decrease from the third quarter average, it remains higher than the quarterly averages in the first two quarters of 2024, 48% and 51%.
7% of respondents reported that the question regarding the ability to afford rent or mortgage does not apply to them. This does not necessarily mean they are housing secure. While some of these respondents may be debt-free homeowners, others may be temporarily staying with friends or family, staying in shelters, or facing homelessness.
A lower share of respondents reported difficulty affording regular household expenses in November, with 51% of respondents finding it very or somewhat difficult.
Domestic worker respondents experienced varying levels of difficulty affording regular household expenses, such as food, housing, car payments, and medical expenses: 7% reported no difficulty, 43% reported little difficulty, 27% reported some difficulty, and 24% reported large difficulty.
Difficulty affording regular household expenses was 55% on average in the first three quarters of 2024.
About the surveys
NDWA surveys Spanish-speaking domestic workers via La Alianza, a Messenger chatbot. Starting in 2024, the survey has been sent every other week excluding office closures. At the end of each survey, La Alianza provides respondents with relevant news articles and resources in Spanish. To learn more about NDWA’s La Alianza survey of Spanish-speaking domestic workers, see the methodology section of this report.
The numbers presented in this report include data from two surveys in November. The total number of fully completed surveys, which includes both new and repeated respondents, was 1,220.
Questions about hours worked and hourly wages are asked biweekly, and questions regarding underemployment, job search, and economic security are asked monthly.
For questions or feedback, please contact us here.
Notes
1 Albrecht (2024), November US Jobs Report: 227,000 Rise in Payrolls, In Line with Expectations
2 NDWA Labs (2020), 6 Months in Crisis: The Impact of COVID-19 on Domestic Workers
3 Economic Policy Institute (2022), Domestic Workers Chartbook
4 Kopparam (2022), What federal statistical agencies can do to improve survey response rates among Hispanic communities in the United States
* Unlike unemployment rates, joblessness for domestic workers may include people who are not working but are currently unavailable to work, or not actively looking for jobs. Additionally, the NDWA’s joblessness rate for surveyed domestic workers is not seasonally adjusted, while BLS unemployment rates are adjusted.