Workers Urge Stronger Protections Against Retaliation

Friday, July 12, 2019 | 0

Immigrant worker and labor advocates rallied in the Massachusetts capital this week in support of bills that would expand the definition of retaliation and protect injured workers who file claims.

Sen. James Eldridge

Senate Bill 1068, sponsored by Sen. James Eldridge, D-Marlborough, and a House bill, H 1670, provides a rebuttable presumption that the employer violated the law if a worker is discriminated against, threatened or fired within 90 days of filing a workers' compensation claim or seeking medical care.

The bill is needed because the current definition of retaliation is too narrow, which makes it easier for companies to get away with it, according to the Immigrant Worker Center Collaborative and other worker advocate groups.

The bill was heard in the Joint Committee on Labor and Workforce Development, but a vote has not been set, a staff member said.