The Resolution passed on December 18th, International Migrants Day, and was sponsored by Councilmember Eric Garcetti (District 13) and Ed Reyes (District 1). Councilmembers Nick Pacheco and Alex Padilla also co-sponsored the resolution. The resolution passed unanimously without debate as part of the Consent Agenda.
The Resolution is as follows:
Immigrant Workers Platform
Whereas, the City of Los Angeles has historically been a place of refuge for migrants escaping from political turmoil, natural disasters and economic hardships in their country of origin. Immigrants from across the world have built this city and its economy continues to thrive through the major contributions of their labor. Nowhere is this clearer than in the low-wage industries, where wealth is created by garment, restaurant, day labor, domestic, home care workers and other immigrant workers who receive poverty wages and endure exploitation; and
Whereas, immigrant workers have endured deplorable working conditions such as long work hours without overtime pay, no access to workers compensation, little regard for their health and safety, harrassment, discrimination, blacklisting, and have little or now protection by government agencies in charge of enforcing labor laws; and
Whereas, immigrant workers lack job security, a living wage and are trapped in these low-wage industries without the hope of improving their lives and that of their families;
Whereas, Immigrant workers face higher levels of exploitation because most lack legal documentation, and they are subject to threats and harassment to be thrown out of the country, incarcerated and deported thereby creating a fearful working and living environment.
Whereas, Immigrant workers and their families, because of their immigration status, are also systematically denied access to a driver's license, decent healthcare, social services, and quality education. Let it be resolved
That we, as leaders of a country built by immigrants, hereby endorse the following principles as guidelines for building a broader legalization program. We urge all others in the community to uphold these principles as we work together to improve the conditions for low-wage immigrant workers and their families.
JUSTICE - All immigrant workers deserve and must receive the following support to lead healthy, decent and productive lives:
True legalization in this country should be given in the form of permanent legal status and citizenship. This should not be limited to any country of origin or work industry.
Greater protection and enforcement of U.S. labor laws, which will guarantee at least minimum wage and security from blacklisting, harassment and intimidation of any kind.
DIGNITY - All immigrant workers and their families deserve: Clean, safe and proper working conditions to prevent illness, stress and workplace accidents.
Access to decent and quality healthcare, and nutrition. Permanent, stable and secure work.
Access to quality education and financial aid. Access to safe affordable housing.
Access to a driver's license
DEMOCRACY - All immigrant workers and their families must hold basic democratic freedoms and rights as contributing members of this country. Immigrant families must be able to voice their concerns.
The Multi-ethnic Immigrant Worker Organizing (MIWON) is a network of four immigrant workers' rights and advocacy groups: the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights of Los Angeles (CHIRLA), Garment Worker Center (GWC), Korean Immigrant Worker Advocates (KIWA) and the Pilipino Workers Center (PWC). MIWON mobilized over 4000 people for International Workers Day this past May 1st in support of Legalization.
Thank you to all individuals and organizations that joined MIWON workers at the Council Meeting (IDEPSCA, Clinica Msr. Romero, So. California Fair Trade Network, Mobilization for Human Family, Interfaith Coalition for Immigrant Rights, SEIU, AGENDA, National Campaign for Jobs and Income Support). Thank you to all the endorsers of MIWON and this platform.
Endorsers:
Action for Grassroots Empowerment & Neighborhood Development Alternatives
(AGENDA)
African Community Resource Center
Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now (ACORN)
Association of Latin American Gardeners of Los Angeles (ALAGLA)
American Federation of State, County & Municipal Employees Local 1108
Alexandria House
Alliance of Filipino Immigrants & Advocates
American Friends Service Committee
Asian American Studies Center-UCLA (Student & Community Projects)
Asian Left Forum
Asian Pacific American Legal Center of Southern California (APALC)
Asian Pacific Coalition-UCLA
Asian Pacific Islanders for Reproductive Health
Asian Pacific Labor Alliance, LA Chapter
Asian Pacific Planning & Policy Council (A3PCON)
Asian Pacific-Islander Student Outreach-USC
Association of Salvadorans in Los Angeles (ASOSAL)
Bangladeshi-American Community Development Center
Bus Riders Union (BRU)
Californians for Justice
Casa Nicaragua
Center for Human Rights & Constitutional Law
Central American Resources Center (CARECEN)
Central American Studies Program-CSUN
Centro CSO
Clergy & Laity United for Economic Justice (CLUE)
Clinica Mosenr Oscar A. Romero
Clinica Para Las Americas
Committee In Solidarity with the People of El Salvador (CISPES) Coalition LA
Coalition for Educational Justice (CEJ)
Committee of Correspondence for Democracy & Socialism Community Coalition
Community Service Organization (CSO)
Concerned Asian Pacific Students Association - UCLA
County Federation of Labor-Los Angeles
Ecumenical Council Pasadena Area Churches El Rescate
First Baptist Church of Los Angeles
First Unitarian Church of Los Angeles-Committee for Social Justice
For People By People
Freedom Roads Socialist Organization
Guatemalan Unity Information Agency (GUIA)
Hondure?s Unidos de Los Angeles (HULA)
Honorable Maxine Waters, Congresswoman
Honorable Hilda Solis, Congresswoman
Hotel Employees & Restaurant Employees Union (HERE), Local 11
Institute of Popular Education of Southern California (IDEPSCA)
Interfaith Coalition for Immigrant Rights
International Socialist Organization (ISO)
Justice for Janitors (SEIU 1877)
Justice & Peace Commission, Catholic Archdiocese of LA
Korean American Family Service Center (KAFSC)
Korean American Federation of Los Angeles
Korean American Restaurants Association of Los Angeles
Korean Community Information Services
Korean Labor Association
Korean Resource Center (KRC)
Korean Senior Citizens Association of San Fernando Valley
LA Alliance for a New Economy (LAANE)
LA Coalition to End Hunger & Homelessness
Labor/Community Strategy Center
Late Amnesty Movement In Action (LAMA)
League of Filipino Students
Los Angeles Christian Mutual Assistant Foundation
Los Angeles Metropolitan Alliance
Maintenance Cooperation Trust Fund (MCTF) MEChA de UCLA
Mexican American Bar Association
Mexican American Legal Defense and Education Fund (MALDEF)
National Campaign for Jobs and Income Support
National Lawyers Guild
National Day Laborers Organizing Network (NDLON)
Nikkei for Civil Rights and Redress (NCRR)
Northern California Citizenship Project
Our Lady Queen of Angels Church "La Placita" Office of the Americas
People’s Artists, USA
Precious Blood Catholic Church
Progressive Jewish Alliance
Raza Womyn-UCLA
Restaurant Workers Association of Koreatown (RWAK)
Salvadoran Americans Legal and Education Fund (SALEF)
Search to Involve Pilipino Americans (SIPA)
Service Employees International Union (SEIU National & Western Region Headquarters)
SEIU Local 399
SEIU Local 434b
Shalom Community Center
Sining Binhi
South Asian Network (SAN)
South Bay Korean-American Senior Center
South Central Family Health Center
Southern California Fair Trade Network
[posted 12/20/01]
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