The Center for Workers’ Rights and the California Rural Legal Assistance Foundation (CRLAF) held the first Solano County Immigrant Workers’ Rights Day on Sunday, April 12, 2015 at IBEW 1245 Union Hall in Vacaville, CA. The day-long event consisted of a series of know your rights workshops on areas such as, immigration, workers’ rights, and tenant’s rights. Attorneys were available for one-on-one legal consultations. All services were provided without charge and in Spanish.
California attorneys provided information about how immigrants can obtain a driver’s licenses, and how to utilize the new Deferred Action for Parents of Americans and Lawful Permanent Residents (DAPA) and the expanded Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA).
Violations of labor laws are particularly pervasive in immigrant communities, even though most labor protections apply to workers regardless of their immigration status. “We needed to make all workers aware of California’s minimum labor standards to help protect these basic human rights,” says Center for Workers’ Rights Executive Director Daniela Urban. The Solano County Immigrant Workers’ Rights Day provided workers with information about workplace rights and individually counseled workers on issues in the workplace.
Workers also obtained information on housing issues, public benefits, and elder law. Solano County lacks sufficient legal resources for low-wage immigrant residents, therefore, the Solano County Immigrant Workers’ Rights Day was an important opportunity for residents to learn about their rights.
Sponsors and Supporting Organizations:
California Rural Legal Assistance Foundation
Center for Workers’ Rights
Oakland Centro Legal de la Raza
International Brotherhood of Electrician Workers Local 1245
Legal Services of Northern California
Department of Fair Employment and Housing
Equal Employment Opportunities Commission
Mexican Consulate
Agricultural Labor Relations Board
California Rural Legal Assistance, Inc.
Worksafe