Today, City Council voted unanimously to pass the POWER (Protect Our Workers, Enforce Rights) Act, which empowers workers and the City’s Department of Labor (DoL) to hold employers accountable for violations of local labor laws such as the Paid Sick Leave ordinance and the Domestic Workers’ Bill of Rights. In stark contrast to recent federal actions that strip away workers’ rights, the POWER Act establishes some of the strongest workplace protections in the country.
“As a former domestic worker, I am so proud to see this legislation pass in Philadelphia,” said Councilmember Kendra Brooks (At-Large). “This is a major victory for every worker who has ever had to stand up for their rights at work. And it’s a new model for every city that is ready to take action to protect workers against escalating attacks from an anti-worker federal administration.”
The POWER Act offers sweeping protections for all workers in Philadelphia and is the first legislation of its kind in the nation. It prevents retaliation against workers who assert their rights, establishing stronger legal safeguards for workers and steeper financial penalties for employers who break the law. It also allows workers to receive direct financial support when employers violate their rights; previously all financial penalties went solely to the City.
“If this law had existed in the past, I wouldn’t have suffered from wage theft,” said Lilia, a member of the National Domestic Workers Alliance – PA Chapter. “As a non English speaker, I experienced wage theft and couldn’t negotiate a contract with my employer, and I wasn’t paid for the work I did.”
The POWER Act will strengthen the City’s Department of Labor, enabling more thorough and proactive workplace investigations and allowing the DoL to suspend the business licenses of bad actor employers. The law also mandates more public reporting, including a ”Bad Actors Database” that lists employers with 3 or more violations, and establishes consistent timelines across multiple labor laws.
For immigrant workers, the POWER Act inscribes the DoL’s process for certifying immigration protections for workers facing abuse or other violations. For tipped workers, the legislation raises the hourly rate for paid sick leave, so that workers don’t face a financial penalty for using their paid sick time.
“I’ve seen and experienced firsthand how retaliation plays out when domestic workers stand up for their rights,” said Mitch, a member of National Domestic Workers Alliance – PA Chapter. “It’s a common widespread problem across Philadelphia. It’s unacceptable that workers are forced to choose between their dignity and their livelihood, simply because they asked for what they’re legally owed. It’s time for Philadelphia to not just pass laws but to enforce them properly and provide the resources necessary to protect the 16,000 domestic workers and 750,000 working people in this city.”
The legislation passed through City Council’s Committee on Law and Government after a hearing on Friday, April 25th. Workers and labor leaders testified in support, while lobbyists for the hotel and restaurant industries attempted to delay the vote. With a veto-proof majority in Council, the POWER Act will almost certainly become law by May 18th.
Advocates are calling for an additional $3.5M in funding for the Department of Labor in order to implement the new legislation. With just one investigator for every 197,000 workers, the Office of Worker Protections currently lacks the capacity to effectively enforce labor laws, prevent retaliation against workers, and recover hundreds of thousands of dollars in stolen wages.
Source: phlcouncil.com…
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