We urge New York State leaders to pass legislation - A. 07630 / S. 05748 creating a trainee program for nail salon workers before the close of the legislative session on June 18. This action will give the most vulnerable nail salon workers access to steady, fair employment, and a path to licensure.
Why is this important?
Tens of thousands of nail salon workers throughout New York are exposed to dangerous health hazards on the job everyday. Many nail salon owners only pay workers between $35 and $80 a day, and cases of wage theft are all too common. The majority of the work is done by immigrant women from diverse racial and socioeconomic backgrounds, with limited English proficiency and mixed immigration status.
The New York Healthy Nail Salons Coalition (HSNC) is bringing New Yorkers together to create a fair, safe and healthy nail salon industry for workers and consumers.
New York State has declared a potentially historic commitment to improving the nail salon industry. Governor Cuomo’s Multi-Agency Task Force is already educating workers, employers, and customers about their rights and obligations, and working to ensure effective enforcement of new regulations. Recently introduced legislation - A. 07630 / S. 05748 will bring thousands of nail salon workers out of the shadows, allowing the state to take a critical step forward on the path to eliminating exploitation and abuse in New York's nail salons.
Nail salon workers cannot afford to wait until next year for legislative action. Please tell your legislator to act now!
