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DCWP Releases World Cup Worker Rights PSA Video

June 17, 2026

With 2026 World Cup Underway, Agency Reminds New Yorkers of Their Workplace Rights

NEW YORK, NY – Today, Commissioner Samuel A.A. Levine and the New York City Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP) released a new PSA video produced in partnership with the Hotel & Gaming Trades Council (HTC) and the Worker’s Justice Project (WJP) aimed at empowering New York City workers and educating them of their rights—including the City’s Fair Workweek Law, Protected Time Off Law, and Safe Hotels Act.

With more than one million visitors expected over the next month, the agency anticipates a surge in consumer activity and increased demands placed on workers, especially across the tourism, restaurant, and hospitality industries. DCWP urges workers who believe their rights have been violated to submit a complaint right away at nyc.gov/workers.

"New York City is proud to welcome the world throughout the 2026 World Cup—a landmark moment for our city that also places higher demands on the workers who make a major event like this possible," said Commissioner Samuel A.A. Levine. "That’s why we’re partnering with the Hotel & Gaming Trades Council and the Workers’ Justice Project to make sure every New York City worker knows their rights. DCWP will not hesitate to take decisive enforcement action against bad actors who do not comply with the law and put workers’ livelihoods and safety at risk."

“When the world comes to New York, workers are the ones who make that experience possible. The deliveristas, housekeepers, cooks, dishwashers, servers, retail workers, and countless others behind the scenes are not just supporting this moment — they are creating it,” said Ligia Guallpa, Executive Director of Worker’s Justice Project. “As demand increases, so does the risk of workers facing unlawful scheduling practices, retaliation, and other workplace abuses. Rights only matter if workers know they have them and feel safe exercising them. We are proud to partner with DCWP on this important PSA, which gives workers the tools and information they need to know their rights, assert them confidently, and access support when those rights are violated, regardless of immigration status.”

“Over the next month, hundreds of thousands of visitors will get to see firsthand how our hardworking members make New York’s hospitality industry the best in the world,” said Rich Maroko, President of the Hotel and Gaming Trades Council. “As our members welcome the world, we are proud to partner with an administration that is committed to ensuring that they have the protections and respect they deserve. This initiative from Mayor Mamdani and Commissioner Levine will help workers understand their rights, know that their city has their back, and ensure they can share in the success of this extraordinary moment.”

Hands hold up a copy of the Workers' Bill of Rights, yellow header text in front says "Worker Tips"

Last week alongside Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani, DCWP launched citywide Know Your Rights canvasses targeting fast food, hotel, and retail workers. Continuing each week through July 15, DCWP staff will conduct Days of Action at high-traffic locations in all five boroughs to distribute the Workers’ Bill of Rights, a landmark guide to workplace protections. The agency will canvass more than 20,000 New York City worker throughout the tournament.

NYC Worker Protection Laws

⚽ DCWP enforces the City’s Fair Workweek Law, which guarantees predictable schedules and protections for fast food and retail workers, and the Protected Time Off Law, which ensures workers have access to paid and unpaid leave for illness, caregiving and other needs. The City's Hotel Licensing Law, also known as the "Safe Hotels Act," requires hotels to obtain and display a license to operate in New York City.

Under this law, workers and consumers can report a hotel to DCWP for:

  • Not having a license;
  • Not displaying their license and complaint sign;
  • Not having a 24-hour front desk attendant;
  • Not having a security guard;
  • Unclean rooms;
  • Allowing bookings for less than four hours;
  • Not providing panic buttons to employees;
  • Not directly employing core employees;
  • Not providing human trafficking prevention training to staff; and
  • Retaliating against an employee

In addition to codifying safety and cleanliness standards, the law bans illegal subcontracting and establishes baseline protections for hotel workers.

⚽ New York City’s Fair Workweek Law protects retail employees and fast food workers.

Retail employers in NYC:

  • Must give workers their work schedules 72 hours before the first shift on the schedule;
  • Cannot schedule employees for on-call shifts;
  • Cannot cancel a scheduled shift with less than 72 hours’ notice;
  • Cannot require an employee to work with less than 72 hours’ notice, unless the employee agrees.

Fast food employers in NYC:

  • Must give workers regular schedules that stay the same week-to-week;
  • Must give workers work schedules 14 days in advance of the start of the schedule;
  • Must pay premiums for schedule changes and “clopenings”;
  • Must give workers a chance to say no to extra work and to “clopenings”;
  • Must give current workers the opportunity to work more regular hours before hiring new employees;
  • Cannot fire or reduce the hours of a worker by more than 15% without just cause or a legitimate business reason;
  • Must reinstate laid off employees by seniority when hours become available.

⚽ Under New York City’s Protected Time Off Law, most employees have the right to up to 40 or 56 hours of paid protected time off per year. Employers must also provide 20 hours of paid prenatal leave in addition to protected time off. 

In addition to the new reasons added under Local Law 145, employees may use Protected Time Off for: 

  • Medical care or to recover from an illness or injury 
  • Caring for a family member who is sick or has a medical appointment
  • Needs related to domestic violence and certain other crimes

Workers and employers can visit nyc.gov/workers for more information about the laws that DCWP enforces or to file a complaint. Complaints can be filed anonymously, regardless of immigration status. It is illegal for employers to retaliate against employees for filing complaints.


The NYC Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP) is the nation’s leading municipal enforcement agency charged with delivering economic justice. DCWP leverages its authority to bring New Yorkers real economic relief and protect them from predatory, deceptive, and unfair practices that violate their rights as consumers and workers. This includes pioneering cutting-edge protections, such as the City’s Consumer Protection Law, Protected Time Off Law, Fair Workweek Law, and Delivery Worker Laws, including the Minimum Pay Rate for delivery workers. Through licensing more than 45,000 businesses in over 45 industries, DCWP ensures fair competition and a level playing field for responsible small businesses that are integral to New York City’s vibrant communities. DCWP also provides essential services such as free tax preparation and financial counseling to ensure New Yorkers keep more of what they earn and can plan for their futures. DCWP is committed to making sure New York City is a fairer, more affordable place to live. For more information about DCWP and its work, call 311 or visit DCWP at nyc.gov/dcwp, sign up for its newsletter, or follow on its social media sites, X, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok. 

 

Media Contact: 
Stephany Vasquez Sanchez 
Department of Consumer and Worker Protection 
(212) 436-0042 
press@dcwp.nyc.gov