The Department of Labor has taken a hands-on approach this past month, reaching out directly to the people and businesses of Philadelphia to celebrate "Labor Month". The Department has been embracing a variety of community-oriented events, punctuating its presence in the physical spaces of the city where it can directly engage with workers and business owners alike. The initiative is a part of a broader mission to uphold economic opportunity and equity across all workplaces in the city.
According to an announcement from the City of Philadelphia, the Department began its slate of Labor Month activities on Labor Day, seeking to to actively make worker’s rights more approachable. The Office of Worker Protections (OWP) was active across the board, engaging with over 80 businesses and establishing resource tables at 14 events. Labor laws and worker protections were the main focus, aimed at informing constituents of their rights within the urban workforce milieu.
In a coordinated effort with the Philadelphia Council AFL-CIO, the Office participated in the Annual Tri-State Labor Day Parade and collaborated with the Mexican Consulate during Labor Rights Week. Furthermore, on September 7, the OWP allied with the 35th District Police District Advisory Council at the Annual Unity Day, advocating for worker’s rights to the many commuters at the Olney Transportation Center. They continued their advocacy at events such as the annual Immigrant and Refugee Career Fair by the Department of Behavioral Health and Intellectual Disability Services.
One particularly notable event was a webinar on September 26th, co-hosted with the Mexican Consulate, which aimed to clarify deferred action processes and visa basics. It had over 30 registrants and was conducted in both English and Spanish. This outreach comes at a time when the city has stressed that Philadelphia's labor laws protect over 700,000 workers, "regardless of the worker’s immigration status" and that these laws "protect workers from retaliation," a point underscored by the widespread distribution of educational materials and labor law training sessions throughout Labor Month, as detailed by the City of Philadelphia.
The Department's efforts culminate in a pronounced commitment to "bring dignity and respect to every workplace, for every worker in the city," as they continue to enforce and advance the labor laws that underscore economic security and racial justice. With their hotline receiving over 400 calls and the distribution of informational flyers numbering in the thousands, the Office of Worker Protections is making strides to interconnect the threads of the legal framework with those who weave the fabric of the city's labor force, as mentioned by the City of Philadelphia.
