Sheila Bapat

Sheila Bapat is an attorney and writer covering economic and gender justice. Her work has appeared in Jacobin, Salon, Reuters, Slate, Alternet, Truthout, the University of Pennsylvania Journal of Labor and Employment Law, PolicyMatters, and the Center for Women Policy Studies’ series, “Reproductive Laws for the 21st Century.” Sheila holds a JD from the University of Pennsylvania School of Law.

Oregon Domestic Workers’ Bill Fails, Highlighting Importance of Workers’ Voices

Sheila Bapat

Part of the problem in Oregon was that the push for domestic workers' legislation did not include enough grassroots mobilization by the state’s estimated 10,000 domestic workers who are currently excluded from overtime and other protections.

How Can a ‘Pro-Life’ Legislator Fight to Gut SNAP?

Sheila Bapat

The House sponsor of the recently failed Farm Bill has a deep commitment to fetuses. His commitment to children? Not so much.

[A Black woman puts her hand to her head and closes her eyes while grimacing]

Race and the Fair Labor Standards Act: 75 Years Later, Vestiges of Racism Persist

Sheila Bapat

On the 75th anniversary of the Fair Labor Standards Act, many women of color are still excluded from overtime and minimum wage protections. The law's legislative history helps explain why.

U.S. Culture and Policy to Dads: Your Place Is in the Office

Sheila Bapat

When work culture and public policy fail to support men’s involvement in the domestic sphere, how can anyone "have it all"?

How Immigration Reform Could Help Improve Women’s Economic Security

Sheila Bapat

One ignored aspect of immigration reform is that a pathway to permanent residency or citizenship for immigrant women could help improve women's economic security in the United States in the long term.

Workers Frustrated by Pritzker Nomination—But What Impact Will She Have?

Sheila Bapat

Commerce secretary nominee Penny Pritzker has been a consistent supporter of reproductive rights organizations, but she's also a director and part-owner of Hyatt hotels, which has recently been the target of many workers' rights protests.

Third Time’s the Charm? Third California Domestic Workers’ Bill of Rights Passes Assembly

Sheila Bapat

The California domestic workers' bill of rights passed the state assembly Wednesday—but similar bills have twice been passed and vetoed. It's unclear whether Gov. Brown will veto it again.

Vermont Collective Bargaining Law a Departure From National Trends

Sheila Bapat

Home care workers in Vermont may soon have collective bargaining rights, as a result of union advocacy and organizing. "We’ve gone to thousands of doors. There's no shop floor here."

Student Debt Is a Women’s Issue

Sheila Bapat

According to earnings statistics, women get far less bang for their buck out of higher education. Recent proposals to reduce student debt could benefit women over the course of their lives—but they may not go far enough.

Improving How Domestic Workers and Their Employers Settle Disputes

Sheila Bapat

The Brazilian Immigrant Center has launched a first-of-its-kind mediation program that seeks to resolve disputes between domestic workers and their employers. So far, it seems to be working.

Sheila Bapat

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