In a concerted effort to educate and empower the Queens community, New York State Senator Jessica Ramos and Department of Labor Commissioner Roberta Reardon on Thursday engaged with community leaders and visited businesses on Roosevelt Avenue, an area known for its cultural diversity within Senator Ramos's district.
The visit focused on raising awareness about protections in place for workers, with Senator Ramos and Commissioner Reardon spreading the message to local businesses and workers. These efforts highlighted the Department of Labor's commitment to enforcing labor laws and safeguarding workers against exploitation.
New York State Senator Jessica Ramos, Co-Chair of the Senate Labor Committee, said, “Roosevelt Avenue has been and continues to be an immigrant worker’s first point of entry into the New York City workforce. Training new neighbors to find good jobs and thrive helps our communities and our economy. It’s important all of New York’s workers know their rights, including what to do when a bad boss is taking advantage of them. I am grateful to Commissioner Reardon for walking our streets to see and understand these needs firsthand.”
New York State Department of Labor Commissioner Roberta Reardon said, “Engaging directly with both workers and businesses along Roosevelt Avenue today has reinforced the importance of our joint efforts with Senator Ramos. This collaboration will allow us to develop tailored solutions that not only support workers but also help businesses thrive by understanding and implementing best labor practices.”
Following their visits, Commissioner Reardon and Senator Ramos met with representatives from the New Immigrant Community Empowerment (NICE), an organization vital to the empowerment of immigrants, who often face high rates of workplace violations, injuries, and fatalities. The discussions focused on the shared goals of highlighting worker protections and utilizing NYSDOL resources to bolster the community’s resilience.
New Immigrant Community Empowerment Executive Director, Nilbia Coyote, said, “Roosevelt Avenue is a place of hope and community for thousands of newly arrived and long-time immigrants.” She added, “NICE understands the challenging journey of entering the workforce, which is why we are pushing the Apprenticeship for Life and Work program. We want to continue welcoming thousands of immigrants and help them integrate into the workforce, prepared and dignified.”
Additionally, NYSDOL’s Worker Protection team disseminated vital information about minimum wage, workers' rights, child labor, and DOL career centers directly to individuals along Roosevelt Avenue. They also ensured businesses had posted necessary information and collected contact details to mail the materials if they hadn’t. Their presence highlighted the Department's proactive approach in educating and empowering workers on how to safeguard their rights and access necessary resources.
In 2023 alone, NYSDOL recovered nearly $24 million in wages for 21,927 workers, reflecting its dedication to combating labor violations vigorously. Efforts like the Protect Youth Workers Pledge, Child Labor Hub, and collaborations with the Child Labor Task Force further exemplify NYSDOL’s holistic approach to worker protection.
This partnership highlights an essential step forward in our collective mission to support the rights and well-being of workers throughout New York, ensuring that our labor force is safe, informed, and respected. For more information on NYSDOL’s efforts to enforce fair pay, including minimum and unpaid wages, and to access resources on labor standards, visit NYSDOL’s Division of Labor Standards’ webpage.
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