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Public Access Design

Stand Up to Clean Up!

Each morning, female day laborers across New York City gather on street corners looking for domestic work. House cleaning is a tough industry: workers are vulnerable to unsafe conditions, from exposure to toxic chemicals to working without breaks. Many house cleaners are expected to clean entire rooms on their knees, complete work on unrealistic schedules, and accept illegally low wages.

CUP collaborated with Worker’s Justice Project, designer Yeju Choi, and illustrators Sam Holleran and Hyoungkee Kim to make Stand Up to Clean Up!, a guide that helps workers advocate for safer working conditions and better wages. The illustrated guide spells out labor rights and workplace phrases in Spanish and Polish, giving house cleaners the language tools they need to negotiate wages and stay safe and healthy.