Proyecto Faro participated in the campaign that resulted in NY state’s Excluded Workers Fund, helping dozens of people file applications for these relief funds. However, nine weeks after the fund opened, the $2 billion were quickly depleted and the fund closed, leaving a huge number of excluded workers without benefits two years into the pandemic.
“The Excluded Workers Fund has helped New Yorkers across the state get back on their feet after the hardest year we’ve ever been through. But it’s outrageous that we even needed this fund to begin with,” said Bianca Guerrero, a coordinator with the Fund Excluded Workers Coalition. “When times get hard, workers should be able to get access to the safety net support they need to make it through – no matter their immigration status or the kind of work they do. That’s why, in the coming budget cycle, we’re calling on Governor Hochul and state lawmakers to permanently repair the holes in our safety net to make unemployment insurance accessible to those who need it most.”
“We shouldn’t have to scramble to set another fund up the next time our state faces a crisis,” said state Sen. Jessica Ramos. “That’s why, in addition to the $3 billion we need to ensure a just recovery…we will be fighting for Excluded No More – a permanent fix to our unemployment system that will finally grant coverage to low-wage undocumented workers, cash workers, and street vendors. Esenciales por siempre. Excluidos nunca más.”
We continue to work in this regional coalition and urge our allies in NY state to participate in this campaign. To learn more, visit Fund Excluded Workers.