The Coronavirus pandemic has had a devastating impact on workers. Catholic Migration Services continues to provide critical legal services to low-wage and immigrant workers. In addition to providing advice and legal representation on general employment matters, such as wage theft, we are now also providing advice to workers directly impacted by this pandemic, including those with workplace health and safety concerns and those who have recently lost their jobs. Our hotline is open! To speak with an attorney, please call our hotline (877) 52-LABOR (52267) Monday through Friday
Catholic Migration Services represents low-wage workers in all five boroughs free of charge. The Workers’ Rights Hotline, our hotline providing workers’ rights information and assistance, is open to all residents of New York. An initial consultation does not guarantee legal representation by Catholic Migration Services.
To speak with a member of the Employment Unit, please call (877) 52-LABOR (52267) Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. ¡Hablamos Español!
Employment Unit
Each day millions of low-wage and immigrant workers struggle to make ends meet. Their struggle is made immeasurably more difficult when these workers perform the work that they have been hired to do, but their employers refuse to pay them in full, either by withholding wages for some or all of the hours worked, failing to pay the minimum wage, or refusing to pay overtime premiums when employees’ hours exceed 40 in a week.
Since its inception in 2009, the Employment Unit has recovered thousands of dollars in unpaid wages to workers, allowing hard working New Yorkers to pay their rent, cover their bills, and put food on the table.
The Employment Unit works towards strengthening the enforcement of workers’ rights through affirmative litigation, policy reform, individual representation, and community education. In collaboration with workers’ centers and community-based organizations citywide, the Employment Unit provides advice and representation to hundreds of low-income and immigrant workers each year facing a range of problems.
Wage Theft
We provide legal advice and representation to workers who have not received minimum wage and/ or proper overtime, or who have had their wages withheld by their employees.
Unsafe Conditions & Workplace Injuries
We assist workers report unsafe or unhealthful working conditions, and offer legal advice to workers that have been injured on the job.
Workplace Discrimination & Harassment
We provide legal advice and representation to people who have experienced workplace discrimination and harassment based on their race, religion, ethnicity, national origin, immigration status, age, gender, sexual orientation, disability, or pregnancy.
Paid Family Leave
New Yorkers now enjoy job-protected paid leave to bond with a new child, care for a loved one with a serious health condition or to help relieve family pressures when someone is called to active military service abroad. Please contact the Employment Unit if you have any questions about Paid Family Leave.
Paid Sick Leave
Covered employees in New York City have the right to use sick leave for the care and treatment of themselves or a family member. If your Employer has denied you the ability to take a sick day or to be paid for a sick day (if you are eligible), please contact the Employment Unit.
Unemployment Insurance
We offer assistance in applying for unemployment insurance benefits, as well as offer advice and representation for workers at unemployment insurance hearings and during the appeal process.
Workplace Crimes
T (trafficking victim) visas
We help survivors of labor trafficking obtain immigration relief.
U (crime witness/victim) visas
We help survivors of serious workplace crimes who have cooperated with law enforcement apply for immigration relief.
