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File #: 170379    Version: 0 Name:
Type: Resolution Status: ADOPTED
File created: 4/20/2017 In control: CITY COUNCIL
On agenda: Final action: 4/27/2017
Title: Recognizing every person's fundamental right to earn a living, regardless of immigration status, and affirming the City of Philadelphia's commitment to protect and secure a safe and dignified workplace for all.
Sponsors: Councilmember Gym, Councilmember Quiñones Sánchez, Councilmember Blackwell, Councilmember Green, Councilmember Bass, Councilmember Reynolds Brown, Councilmember Parker
Attachments: 1. Resolution No. 17037900.pdf, 2. Signature17037900.pdf
Title
Recognizing every person's fundamental right to earn a living, regardless of immigration status, and affirming the City of Philadelphia's commitment to protect and secure a safe and dignified workplace for all.

Body
WHEREAS, Article 23 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights explicitly renders upon every person the fundamental right to earn a living, which includes the right to participate in the labor market, to free choice of employment, and to just and favorable conditions of work; and

WHEREAS, Congress's continued inability to provide workers in restaurants and other industries with the opportunity to gain immigration status or citizenship relegates many of our city's workers to the dark shadows of our economy; and

WHEREAS, The City of Philadelphia has become a national leader in creating a welcoming and protective environment for all people, regardless of immigration status, through cultural, economic, and legal initiatives; and

WHEREAS, The City of Philadelphia recognizes the significant positive contributions of immigrants, regardless of immigration status, to our City's economy, through the payment of taxes and participation in our nationally acclaimed restaurant industry and overall economy; and

WHEREAS, The Day Without an Immigrant on February 16, 2017, revealed the invaluable role that immigrants, regardless of immigration status, play in keeping our restaurants, stores, and businesses open and flourishing; and

WHEREAS, A lack of immigration status leaves many workers vulnerable to discrimination, abuse, dangerous working conditions, wage theft, and retaliation for asserting their legal rights; and

WHEREAS, Every person has the right to core labor standards that include a right to equal pay for equal work and a right to take collective action; and

WHEREAS, Employers who join in solidarity to recognize the fundamental right of each of their employees to earn a living, including the right to full participation in the...

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