Department of Labor Establishes Bureau of Immigrant Workers’ Rights'

August 1, 2007

As announced by the Department of Labor, recent developments are addressing the growing needs of immigrant workers in New York State by establishing a Bureau of Immigrant Workers’ Rights.  This Bureau will serve as the organizational home base for issues affecting the immigrant workforce. 

The Bureau will work both externally, with advocacy groups and the public, and internally, within the Department, to ensure that the Department is responsive and accessible to immigrant workers.  The Bureau will provide a single point of contact for advocacy groups, both to receive their input, and also to serve as a referral source within our agency for the target population, directing people to the proper programs for workers’ rights.  Internally, the Bureau will analyze each of the Department’s programs and review new and existing policies to assess ways in which each program could be more responsive to immigrant workers’ needs. 

The Bureau will also be responsible for implementing policies and procedures across program lines to help the Department more effectively meet the needs of immigrant workers.  The Bureau has staff both in Albany and in New York City and can be reached at 212-352-6243.

Immigrant Community Liaisons will serve as the first point of contact for community groups.  They will conduct outreach to advocacy and immigrant groups, to inform them of the Department’s programs, and will assist groups in bringing matters to the Department’s attention.  They will also assist the staff of the Department in determining ways to be more responsive to immigrant workers’ needs.  The Immigrant Community Liaisons will report to the Director of the Bureau of Immigrant Workers’ Rights.