Latino New York: Rights

Three undocumented workers (two Mexicans and an Ecuadorian) have been awarded $3.85 million in damages for New York construction-site accidents.

"All three cases involve construction and terribly unsafe working conditions. We're here today to re-emphasize -- as we have in the past -- to the Latino community and all undocumented workers that they have the same rights once they're on the job as any New York citizen." Brian O'Dwyer, Attorney

This is a bit of good news in an otherwise ugly chapter in the treatment of immigrant workers in America. It's been well-documented that many construction companies often skirt government safety rules for their undocumented workers. As a result, these workers--which are heavily Latino--suffer a disproportionate number of construction site related injuries and fatalities.

Hopefully, these awards are the beginning of righting a terrible wrong. By making it financially painful, business--at least those in NYC--will have to think twice before deciding to ignore safety standards when deploying immigrant workers.

Undocumented workers awarded $3.85 million in accidents
The Tepeyac Association
Latino Immigrants Build NYC's Towers & Pay With Their Lives

El Diario today called on New York's legislature to give Governor David Paterson legislation to provide basic labor protections to the state's 200,000 domestic workers. See the editorial below.

Latino New York joins El Diario to finally move to protect some of society's most vulnerable and easily exploited workers. With the horror stories of greed run-a-muck on Wall Street, the harassment--and even murder--of immigrant workers, and the mistreatment of domestic workers (including enslavement), New York must quit stalling and move quickly to extend labor rights to all domestic workers. Doing so will send a loud message that New York will once again stand on the side of economic justice.

Rights for domestic workers
Derechos para trabajadoras domésticas

Today, on International Women's Day, we honor the long struggle and accomplishments towards equality and respect for women. Another milestone is within reach if New York state lawmakers push through a bill in the legislative pipeline.

For five years, domestic workers in New York have rallied for a bill of rights that would provide them with basic protections. These workers, estimated at 200,000 in New York State, are often exploited, even more so in this economic climate.

Thousands of families count on domestic workers to care for their children, elders and households. This allows professionals to perform jobs in sectors on which the city depends. Yet domestic workers are not guaranteed sick or vacation days or pay increases. They can be fired at will and without notice.

The vast majority of domestic workers are immigrant women, many from Latin America. Here, they find themselves isolated, underpaid and mistreated by employers taking advantage of the fact that their work is not protected under state and federal laws. It's abuse employers would not tolerate for themselves.

Tomorrow, the State Senate's labor committee is expected to vote on legislation that would address unfair working conditions for domestic workers. A bill long sponsored by Assemblyman Keith Wright is in the rules committee. The committees should approve these bills so they can be presented on the floor for passage.

This is the fifth year that domestic workers, represented by Domestic Workers United, have tried to get a bill approved. The legislature and Governor David Paterson should make sure this is the last year they have to advocate for overdue protections.

Latino New York

Saturday, June 20, 2009

Injured Undocumented Workers Awarded $3.85MM

Sunday, March 8, 2009

Rights for Domestic Workers in New York