Video outlines new legal protections for 750,000 workers in Philadelphia and encourages workers to stand up for their rights.
PHILADELPHIA – Today, a coalition of pro-worker organizations and elected leaders released a video to educate Philly workers about their new rights under the POWER Act (Protect Our Workers, Enforce Rights). Councilmember Kendra Brooks (At-Large) called on workers and allies to share the video and report violations at ndwa.us/power-act or by calling 267-579-1586.
“When we passed the POWER Act, we won new rights for 750,000 workers in Philadelphia,” said Councilmember Brooks. “So many people stand to benefit, but only if they understand what their rights are and how to use them. This video was created by workers, for workers, so that more people will be able to take advantage of the new protections in this law.”
The video was created by workers from the PA Chapter of the National Domestic Workers Alliance, the Philly Black Worker Project, and El Comite de Trabajadores (an organization of restaurant workers) with support from the Philadelphia AFL-CIO and Community Legal Services. It is available in English, Spanish, and Portuguese, with plans to add additional languages in the coming months.
“For too long, marginalized workers in Philly have faced workplace abuse without protections,” said a domestic worker and leader in the PA Chapter of the National Domestic Workers Alliance. “We’re launching this video to educate 750,000 workers on their rights and make sure employers have no excuses to follow the law. With the POWER Act, it sends a clear message. Everyone has rights in their workplace.”
Despite strong laws on paper, Philly workers still face wage theft, unsafe conditions, and retaliation. The POWER (Protect Our Workers Enforce Rights) Act ensures the city enforces labor laws and protects workers from abusive employers. It strengthens retaliation protections; increases financial compensation when employers break the law; creates a public “Bad Actors” database for repeat violators; raises sick pay for tipped workers; and sets clear guidelines to protect immigrant workers facing abuse.
Highlights from the video include:
- Labor rights are for everyone, regardless of immigration status.
- Wage theft: When an employer pays workers less than they are owed, that’s wage theft. It is the largest form of theft in the country and is a major problem in Philadelphia. Under the POWER Act, victims of wage theft could collect twice what they are owed.
- Retaliation: When an employer fires or takes negative actions against workers who stand up for their rights, that’s retaliation. Many workers, especially those who are undocumented or formerly incarcerated, face retaliation when they exercise their rights on the job. Under the POWER Act, victims of retaliation could collect hundreds or even thousands of dollars in damages from their employer.
- Holding employers accountable: Employers with multiple labor law violations will be added to a publicly available “Bad Actors Database” and could lose their business license or procurement contracts.
To watch the video and learn more about the POWER Act, visit ndwa.us/power-act.
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