New York State Assembly Passes Equal Pay Legislation

This post was written by Nathan Duke.

The state Assembly has passed a legislative package co-sponsored by Assemblywoman Nily Rozic, D-Fresh Meadows, that would make it easier to enforce equal pay regulations and create a state policy to define “comparable work.” 

The bills would enable the New York State Fair Pay Act to enforce pay equity, including broadening protections to include equivalent jobs, making it illegal for an employer to discriminate between employees based on gender, race or national origin. 

“It’s absurd that in New York State today, we have so many workers who are not earning equal pay for equal work,” Rozic said. “The time for pay equity is now, especially since New York has always been a leader in implementing progressive policies. The legislative package I helped pass would finally put an end to unfair pay gaps.” 

The legislation also calls for the implementation of a state policy that compensates employees in state service equally for work of comparable value by eliminating wage inequality for workers due to sex or race. 

Currently, women in New York make 84 cents for every dollar men earn, creating an annual pay gap of $8,275 between men and women, Rozic said.