This Wednesday, May 28, Mayor Cherelle Parker signed a new pro-worker piece of legislation. The POWER Act (Protect Our Workers, Enforce Rights) establishes the legal tools needed for the Philadelphia Department of Labor to enforce local labor laws.

Project No. 250065, better known as the POWER Act offers broad protections for all workers in Philadelphia, including:

• Allowing workers to receive direct financial compensation for damage suffered due to retaliation and other violations.
• Establishing a process for the department of labor to certify immigration-related protections, essential for undocumented workers.
• Updating regulations for a “public database of bad actors,” listing employers who have committed multiple labor law violations.
• Authorizing the Department of Labor to conduct comprehensive workplace investigations and initiate independent inquiries.

The POWER Act was supported by the Philadelphia AFL-CIO, the Philadelphia Black Workers Project, the National Domestic Workers Alliance (NDWA), and the service employees international union.

The introduction of this law follows ten years of steady progress by unions and pro-worker councilmembers advocating for protection for Philadelphia’s manual laborers. In 2020, City Council voted to establish a permanent department of labor to manage education and enforcement initiatives tied to a growing list of groundbreaking labor laws, such as ordinances on wage theft, fair workweek scheduling, and paid sick leave.

Since then, many workers have faced retaliation from employers after reporting violations of these laws.

“It is our vital responsibility to address disparities in the workplace and fight for fair compensation for essential workers, such as domestic workers,” said Mayor Cherelle L. Parker. “City Council and I hope and believe that together we can continue to uplift the voices of some of the most dedicated workers in our city, while achieving meaningful change.”

“The POWER Act is a strong law that reinforces this city’s commitment to fight for and protect all workers in Philadelphia,” said Daniel P. Bauder, President of the Philadelphia AFL-CIO.

“This is one of the most comprehensive laws in the country to protect domestic workers from retaliation,” said Abena Ruiz, a professional nanny and leader of the Pennsylvania chapter of the National Domestic Workers Alliance.

The POWER Act was passed unanimously by City Council on May 8 and took effect immediately after being signed by Mayor Parker.

This landmark legislation, the first of its kind in the nation, provides new labor protections for over 750,000 workers in Philadelphia.

For more information on the POWER Act, visit: https://phlcouncil.com/