(July 30, 2021) In light of the recent NYSDOL regulations issued for the Excluded Workers Fund, the Members of the New York State Black, Puerto Rican, Hispanic, and Asian Legislative Caucus have released the following statement:

“Among those New Yorkers bearing the brunt of the pandemic and its economic fallout were excluded workers. That is why the State Legislature took steps to ensure that New Yorkers who were on the front lines of the pandemic recovery denied unemployment benefits and federal COVID relief could have access to financial support from the state. Unfortunately, the new regulatory framework announced by DOL, a week prior to the applications opening, will possibly leave out thousands of workers from the fund. These new regulations lack the flexibility needed to fulfill the goal of capturing employees who work in the informal sector of our economy. The BPHA Caucus fully supported the goals of FEW and joins the call of bill sponsors Assemblywoman Carmen De La Rosa and Senator Jessica Ramos in demanding that DOL create a workable set of regulations for the Excluded Workers Fund,” stated Assembly member Michaelle C. Solages, Chair of the Black Puerto Rican, Hispanic, and Asian Legislative Caucus.

 “As New York looks to combat the devastating economic effects from this pandemic, making the Excluded Workers Fund as accessible as possible is critical to an inclusive recovery,” said New York State Senator Jessica Ramos. “Hundreds of thousands of our neighbors have been shut out of financial relief for a year and a half now and are still struggling to put food on their tables and keep a roof over their heads. This fund will allow so many in our communities to recover some of their wages lost over the last 18 months and will bring a huge boon to our local economies.”

“It has been over a year of despair, hunger, loss of work and income as we face the atrocious global impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. Unfortunately, excluded workers have had to bear the burden of having little to no financial support from any level of government. They have suffered and sacrificed every single day, yet they continue to deliver essential work while risking their lives. The fund for excluded was created to bring real relief to workers and not merely as a bandaid solution that further excludes traditionally marginalized communities. It was designed as a lifeline for immigrant working families, but instead the implementation process has been anything but just. We denounce any additional barriers or regulations that keep these workers from a just recovery” said Assembly Member Carmen De La Rosa. “We urge governor Cuomo and the Department of Labor to lead with compassion and act in the stewardship of this Excluded Workers Fund so that All New Yorkers can walk in the path of a truly just recovery.”