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April 12, 2011

New Wage Theft Prevention Act boosts fines for companies that underpay workers


He spent 20 years working below minimum wage and the state agrees he is owed thousands - but his former employer still hasn't paid up.

The plight of Ecuadoran-born restaurant worker Miguel Palaquibay is far from unique, but a new state law may help immigrants like him fight for a legal wage. The Wage Theft Prevention Act - which took effect three days ago - makes it illegal to even threaten to retaliate against a worker if they complain.

It also boosts fines so that employers caught underpaying have to pay back up to double what they owe.

"Too often, workers are afraid to demand the wages that they're owed because they fear they will be fired," said Ady Barkan, who represented Palaquibay through the nonprofit Make the Road New York.

"This will make it easier for them to get the justice that they deserve."

He said the protections have already made a difference - a group of Manhattan nightclub workers paid only in tips plans to complain to the state Tuesday.


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Historic Paid Sick Days Victory in NYC!

New York City just became the largest city in the U.S.to win paid sick days! On May 8, 2013, the City Council passed legislation to require paid sick days for one million New Yorkers. Without this critical legal protection, workers risk losing their jobs for taking a sick day. When workers go in to work sick, they put the public and their co-workers at risk of disease.

Starting April 2014, all workers will be protected from being fired if they must take a sick day to care for themselves or a sick family member, and workers at larger employers will receive 5 paid days of sick leave each year.

This major workplace justice and public health victory is the product of a four-year campaign led by courageous workers and small businesses who stood up for what’s right. We thank our partners at the Working Families Party, the NYS Paid Family Leave Coalition, SEIU 32BJ, the Progressive Caucus, Speaker Quinn and Council Members Brewer and Ferreras, for standing with us for NYC’s workers.