USANewsOnline.Com Desk, New York, NY: Today, Immigration Committee Chair Council Member Shahana Hanif introduced two pieces of legislation focused on empowering immigrant communities. The first, Intro 569, would create an Immigrant Workers Bill of Rights to be distributed in the top ten most spoken languages in New York City. This new bill of rights, disseminated directly to workers and posted at every physical and digital worksite, will help immigrant workers understand their on-the-job protections and workplace rights. This essential information campaign will ensure working-class immigrants, many of whom face regular workplace discrimination and labor violations from their employers, understand the tools they have to fight back.

The second, Intro 570, would create an Office of Translation and Interpretation housed within MOIA. As far too many immigrant communities learned during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, the City struggles to obtain even the most basic translation work. To make matters worse, the City’s translations aren’t good enough to convey critically important messages to the communities that need to hear them most. This legislation would rectify this glaring problem in City services by employing talented native speakers to carry out vital translation work, from public health messages to workplace rights notices. This would end the wasteful outsourcing that has resulted in inaccurate translation and millions of wasted dollars.
“As the daughter of immigrants, I know all too well that our communities have to work twice as hard simply to get by. We are met by language barriers and societal roadblocks every day, making it nearly impossible to succeed, ”said Immigration Committee Chair, Council Member Shahana Hanif. “But with the legislation I’m introducing today, we’re taking one massive step forward in leveling the playing field. Providing accurate and timely translations of critical messages, along with newly distributed and accessible workplace rights, will ensure our immigrant communities have the tools and knowledge to live full dignified lives in our City.” Press Release.