Amid threats to worker safety, advocates commemorate Workers Memorial Day - The Chief

Elie William, an electrician's assistant, tragically became the first worker to die in New York City in 2023 after falling 40 feet during renovations at the Waldorf Astoria. His death underscored the ongoing hazards workers face, particularly immigrants in high-risk jobs. At a Workers Memorial Day event, advocates called attention to the lack of safety protections, especially for immigrant workers, as political actions threaten their rights and safety. The overwhelming reality of workplace fatalities in NYC emphasizes that safety measures must take precedence over concerns about immigration enforcement.

"Workers Memorial Day reminds us that worker health and safety is not a luxury, like those at the Waldorf Astoria probably thought. Worker safety is a matter of life and death."

"Immigrants perform some of the most dangerous work in New York City, with some of the fewest protections... workplace injuries and fatalities occur at alarming rates."

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