the temporary workers Bill of Rights went into full effect this weekend providing a number of protections for some of the most vulnerable workers in our state offering increased pay eliminating fees that workers can be charged and allowing temporary workers to accept permanent positions just a few of the changes the Law's passage faced countless hurdles and even now that it's been enacted it faces a legal Challenge from the New Jersey business and industry Association but a senior correspondent Brenda Flanagan reports that's not stopping advocacy groups from pounding the pavement today to let workers know of their new rights under this new law [Music] Advocates chanted we did it celebrating the brand new temp workers Bill of Rights that takes effect this week the president setting law guarantees protection against low pay and unsafe working conditions for hundreds of thousands of folks across New Jersey who get hired through staffing agencies but often fear retaliation for complaining about routine abuse on the job Yolanda hunka explained through a translator even if they didn't need you to work that day they could bring you out to the warehouse and leave you there stranded we felt belittled we felt like we have no worth no value even though we're fighting for dignity at our work pro-labor groups like make the road and new labor pushed hard against powerful business lobbies to pass the bill and Governor Murphy signed it earlier this year Advocates handed out leaflets early this morning in Elizabeth don't be scared don't feel fear because we are organizations that we are giving information know your rights and you're gonna be fine we've been since 6 a.m talking with temp workers up and down Elizabeth Avenue and across the city to inform them of the new law and their rights the Bill of Rights mandates temp workers must receive pay and benefits equal with the average full-time employees compensation can accept permanent jobs without interference from staffing agencies cannot be charged Transportation or uniform fees and must be paid if they're called into work even if there's nothing for them to do but as it takes effect some businesses are calling the law untenable the average pay component really could lead to you know attempts making more money than say the entry level employee as well as having to pay out the cash equivalent of benefits New Jersey's business and industry Association and Jersey Staffing Alliance has sued to block it but a federal judge let the law take effect while the matters decided at trial I've spoken with some staffing companies that are saying they're already losing a ton of contract facts that some of their attempts have been laid off when the workers have stability security safety and dignity and benefits and protections that we provide they become loyal dependable and productive employees in return New Jersey's Labor Commissioner predicts this law will help grow the economy and insists his department has a robust staff of investigators ready to enforce regulations even though New Jersey's passed a slew of new worker protection mandates he expects compliance very people are out there looking to break the law every day and especially in this tight labor market where workers are such a high commodity employers are desperate for workers Advocates will be out every day this week to inform temps of their rights under the new law they urge folks with questions to text the word temp to 52886 52886.

In Elizabeth, I'm Brenda Flanagan NJ Spotlight News [Music]