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& Statements
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 4, 2008
Contact: Gia Storms
(212) 669-4813; (917) 626-6757
Public Advocate Gotbaum: New York Caregivers Need Support and Discrimination Protection
Gotbaum calls on legislators to follow New Jersey lead, give caregivers the right to paid leave
MANHATTAN – Public Advocate Betsy Gotbaum today called for immediate action from the state following the New Jersey senate vote to approve legislation that will give caregivers the right to take paid leave. Gotbaum supports the proposed New York State Working Families Time to Care Act, and also has introduced legislation to the New York City Council that would protect caregivers from workplace discrimination.
Public Advocate Gotbaum said, “New Yorkers caring for loved ones deserve our protection and support. New Jersey has set a great example with their legislation, which is expected to be enacted shortly. New York needs to follow the lead and become the fourth state to pass this act. I have long supported the New York State Working Families Time to Care Act, a bill that would provide paid family leave thus strengthening families and boosting worker productivity.
New York caregivers need all the support we can give them, which is why I’ve introduced legislation in the city council, with the support of twenty-four Council Members, unions, and advocate and business groups to provide caregivers additional protection from discrimination in the workplace.”
The Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA), enacted by the Federal government in 1993 to protect workers, only protects a specific category of employees and is unpaid. FMLA guarantees an individual’s job for up to 12 weeks of leave. The Working Families Time to Care Act would also ensure employees receive a maximum of 170 dollars a week, for each of those 12 weeks.
Similarly, Gotbaum is calling for the passage of the Caregiver bill (Intro # 565A), which she introduced in the City Council in 2007. Currently, the New York City Human Rights Law, one of the most comprehensive civil rights laws in the nation, fails to protect New Yorkers caring for loved ones from discrimination in the workplace. Gotbaum’s bill would protect New Yorkers caring for family members or loved ones who face employment discrimination.
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