Legislation would significantly expand the number of employees entitled to paid sick time in New York City

City Hall – City Council Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito, Civil Service and Labor Committee Chair I. Daneek Miller and Council Member Margaret Chin today announced the Committee on Civil Service and Labor will meet on February 13th to review legislation to significantly expand the number of employees entitled to paid sick leave in New York City.

Sponsored by Council Member Margaret Chin, the proposed legislation would require businesses with five or more employees to provide paid sick time to its employees, as opposed to the current law that requires businesses with 15 or more employees to provide paid sick time.

“New Yorkers need meaningful paid sick leave legislation that will protect working people and ensure their jobs and families are protected in case of illness,” said Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito. “Our hearing is an opportunity for the people of New York City to make their voices heard on this critical issue and I thank my Council colleagues, Mayor de Blasio, Manhattan Borough President Gale Brewer and the working families of New York City for championing this legislation.”

On February 13, the Council will hear testimony from the de Blasio Administration, stakeholders and members of the public on the expanded Earned Sick Time Act at 1 p.m in Council Chambers.

“There is no time to waste when our city’s health is at stake, and we’re moving deliberatively to ensure that we can put forth a bill that improves the quality of life for all New Yorkers,” said Council Member Margaret Chin. “Expanded paid sick leave will make a crucial difference in the daily lives of thousands, offering both physical and financial security for working families. I look forward to getting input from people around our city as we work together on this legislation, and I thank Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito, my Council colleagues, Manhattan Borough President Gale Brewer, and Mayor Bill de Blasio for giving voice to this important issue.”

“I am excited that the Committee on Civil Service and Labor will be hearing this most recent expansion of the Earned Sick Time Act,” said Council Member I. Daneek Miller. “This legislation promotes employee productivity, protects workplace environments and provides working families of all shapes and sizes the ability to care for their sick loved ones. It will impact the lives of hundreds of thousands of New Yorkers, including more than 200,000 who currently do not receive any sick days. In continuing to expand the scope of paid sick leave, this bill stands up for working New Yorkers.”

The proposed legislation can be viewed online at http://on.nyc.gov/1naWcVr.

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