New York City has some of the strongest labor protections in the country. In addition to robust minimum wage and overtime laws that apply to workers across the state, the city requires employers to provide safe and sick leave for all workers. The city also has strong protections for workers in specific industries. For example, app-based delivery workers are entitled to a minimum pay rate, and fast-food workers are protected against being fired without a valid reason, among other rights.
New York City’s labor laws apply to workers regardless of their immigration status. However, immigrant workers often do not know their rights. For this reason, in November 2023, the New York City Council passed legislation, sponsored by City Council Member Shahana Hanif, that mandated the creation of a Workers’ Bill of Rights and required that it be made accessible to workers in multiple languages.
The “Workers’ Bill of Rights” refers to a comprehensive list that sets forth, in one place, all of the worker protection laws enforced by city and state agencies in New York City. These include the New York City Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP), the Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs (MOIA), and the New York City Commission of Human Rights (CCHR), which worked with labor groups to compile the various worker protection laws. The law also requires the city to ensure that the list is accessible to workers via outreach initiatives, posting of notices on worksites, translated materials, and enforcement efforts.
In this resource guide, users will find the Workers’ Bill of Rights; a section featuring a directory of organizations that support immigrant workers in a myriad of ways, from workforce development to legal assistance, education and more; a section on Deferred Action for Labor Enforcement (DALE); and finally, a sample timesheet for workers to practice keeping track of their working hours and recording employers’ contact information.