NAIL SALON PROGRAM: #ALLHANDSIN FOR A FAIR AND EQUITABLE INDUSTRY
Advocacy:
In the last quarter, we participated in legislative meetings for co-sponsorship of the “Nail Salon Minimum Standards Council Act” bill in New York. If passed, the historic legislation will help create a state-level council of workers, employers, and government officials that would recommend ways to improve the nail salon industry across New York.
This bill is the first bill of its kind in the United States for nail salon workers!
Organizing:
On May 24th, we mobilized 40+ members to join 60+ total workers and advocates with New York Healthy Nail Salon Coalition for an all-day Albany lobby day.
We held an afternoon press conference with Senator Ramos, Assemblymember Bronson, and Assemblymember Gonzalez-Rojas. Our member leader Menuka Simkhada shared her story and worker leaders composed a campaign song in Nepali that mentioned issues faced by Nail Salon workers. Throughout the lobby day, workers conducted five separate legislative visits, dozens of legislative drop-offs to other members of the labor committee who have not signed on yet, and also dropped off flowers to express gratitude and thanks to our existing co-sponsors.
Services:
For the first time, 100% of our nail salon members passed the 26 hours of nail salon licensing class! The majority of our members in this cohort had limited literacy and reside in Brooklyn. This is exciting as our reach is growing beyond Queens and into other NYC boroughs, and because literacy has been and continues to be a huge barrier to access to licensing for workers.
Upcoming Programs and Events
- Adhikaar’s 17th-year celebration and our Executive Director Pabitra Khati Benjamin’s farewell: BUY YOUR TICKETS TODAY!
