Philadelphia, PA – On Thursday, Philadelphia workers, local labor leaders, and 11 City Councilmembers gathered at City Hall to demand robust enforcement of labor laws through increased funding for the Office of Worker Protections (OWP) and the passage of new anti-retaliation legislation that is set to be introduced before the end of the year. The rally, led by the National Domestic Workers Alliance alongside critical allies from the Philadelphia AFL-CIO, El Comite, and the Philadelphia Black Worker Project, was attended by dozens of workers across various industries, including domestic work, construction, restaurants, and the gig economy, united in the fight for fair treatment and protection against retaliation.
Councilmembers Brooks, O’Rourke, Gauthier, Landau, Squilla, Young, Phillips, Thomas, Jones, Harrity, and Bass attended and spoke powerfully on behalf of Philadelphia workers.
This action comes after the City’s budget cycle left the OWP underfunded, cutting nearly $500,000 from the Department of Labor’s budget and severely limiting the OWP’s ability to enforce critical labor laws that protect over 750,000 workers across Philadelphia. Currently, the Office operates with just one investigator for every 200,000 Philadelphians, leaving many workers vulnerable to exploitation and retaliation.
Despite historic wins for workers—such as the Domestic Workers Bill of Rights, Wage Theft Ordinance, Paid Sick Leave, Fair Work Week, and Just Cause for Parking Lot Workers—there are still significant gaps in enforcement. Workers face retaliation when they speak out about issues like unpaid wages and unsafe working conditions. The new anti-retaliation legislation, which Leader Brooks will introduce before the end of the year, aims to strengthen protections by improving enforcement processes, providing support for vulnerable workers, and ensuring accountability for employers who violate the laws.
Councilmember and Minority Leader Kendra Brooks emphasized the need for greater protections, stating, “Retaliation against workers is a major problem in Philadelphia, especially in sectors dominated by women of color. As a former domestic worker, this issue is personal to me. In the coming weeks, I will introduce legislation to improve enforcement of our labor laws and ensure that all workers in Philadelphia can safely defend their rights.”
Councilmember Nicholas O’Rourke praised the progress made but warned that it would fall short without proper enforcement. “Winning Philly’s expanded labor laws was a major victory, but they will only prove effective if they can be rigorously enforced. I’m proud to work with Leader Brooks and Philly’s boldest, bravest workers to fight for strong enforcement,” O’Rourke said.
Representing over 150,000 workers, Danny Bauder, President of the Philadelphia AFL-CIO, called for full funding of the OWP, stating, “Philadelphia has been on the frontline of enacting pro-worker policies, but our city’s most valuable workers are defenseless without proper enforcement. I proudly join this coalition to demand full funding for the Department of Labor to ensure all workers are protected.”
Olivia, a domestic worker and member of the National Domestic Workers Alliance (NDWA), shared her personal experience of workplace retaliation. “I worked as a nanny for nearly six years, caring for a child I grew to love, only to be dismissed after calling in sick. I had no idea I had rights until I joined NDWA, where I learned to defend myself and others. We need stronger protections and enforcement so no worker has to go through what I did,” she said.
A broad coalition of workers and City Councilmembers are united in demanding a fully funded Department of Labor and the passage of this vital legislation by the end of the year. They remain committed to ensuring Philadelphia becomes a city that respects the rights of all workers and holds employers accountable.
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