Reaffirming the commitment to better serve the interest of workers based in New York, including Governor Cuomo’s late father calls for economic justice, he signed a bill calling for a gradual increase in minimum wage, including up to 12-week of paid family leave.
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The passing of the landmark legislation serves as both an extensive and relatively equalitarian model which definitely advocates hope for the workers. Such kind of hope will also influence other states and federal lawmakers to legislate work-related measures best suited for the changing economy.
Minimum Wage
The setting of the increase is based on the area of the trade or business where the worker is regularly employed. For example, at the end of 2016, the minimum wage ranging from US$9.00 per hour to US$9.70 per hour will be afforded to workers assigned in all counties of north Westchester County. For the rest of other areas in New York, the minimum wage is pegged at US$15.00 per hour which is remain unimplementable until and unless the new study be undertaken by the state supporting the rationale for the increase, including the need to prepare for a new indexed schedule. The minimum wage for tipped food service employees such as waiters would be based on the higher of the current tipped minimum or 2/3 of the state minimum wage. In addition, a tip credit equal to the difference between tipped and regular minimum wage will be given to tipped workers. In short, the law gradually raises the minimum wage over the next coming years will put the individual’s economic perspective in place, and more productivity growth to set in.
12-Week Paid Family Leave
Under the new paid family leave policy, any full-time and part-time worker is eligible to avail of the 12-week leave provided the worker has worked for at least six (6) months.
The 12-week paid family policy is the statewide mandatory leave which is on phased-in basis over the next coming years starting at the end of 2018. The worker is entitled to take time off from work for reasons such as to provide physical and psychological care necessary for the serious health condition of the family member, to set aside quality time with the child of the employee during the 1st 12 months reckoned from the child’s birth,  place the child for adoption or foster care with the worker for the period of the 1st 12 months, and any qualifying exigency as contained in the federal family and medical leave act.
With the passage of the said law, the workers affected  will be provided for the best benefits they truly deserve.
