New York City Commission on Human Rights

The Commission's Quarterly Newsletter 2003 Spring Edition Page 1	Contents \| Next>>
Immigrant Employment Rights	Commissioner Gatling, along with a sign language interpreter, addresses leaders of immigrant advocacy organizations.
CCHR's Immigrant Employment Rights Program educates the City's various immigrant communities on the Federal and City protections afforded under the Immigration and Reform Control Act of 1986 and the NYC Human Rights Law. As part of this program, Commissioner Patricia L. Gatling, along with CCHR's partner, NY Immigration Coalition led by Executive Director Margie McHugh, recently sponsored a forum on immigrant employment rights. Leaders from immigrant organizations and advocacy groups who attended the event are already bringing the information back to their groups. The event featured Robin Stutman, Special Litigation Counsel, Office of Special Counsel for Immigration Related Unfair Employment Practices, Civil Rights Division, U.S. Department of Justice, who discussed various types of immigration-related employment discrimination, Federal anti-discrimination laws, and the process of filing a Federal charge.
Also speaking was Terri Gerstein, Assistant New York State Attorney General, who outlined her office's efforts in the enforcement of immigrant workers' rights, including the creation of the Greengrocer Code of Conduct, bringing the greengrocer industry into compliance with minimum wage and overtime laws. Commissioner Gatling attributes the program's success to a strong partnership with the Coalition and the 120 local immigrant organizations they represent and the outstanding efforts of the program staff. Additionally, vigorous outreach into these communities with extensive media coverage in the ethnic and community press have informed immigrants and employers of discrimination laws. The Commission and the Coalition have already provided over 50 workshops throughout the City in English, Spanish, Chinese, Creole and Russian since the program kicked off late last year. The classes include informal discussions, literature and PowerPoint presentations on discrimination in employment based on national origin, citizenship status or alienage. Working under a U.S. Department of Justice grant, CCHR plans to expand the Immigrant Employment Rights Program with additional languages, media outlets and communities.