THE NEW YORK STATE DEPARTMENT OF LABOR ANNOUNCES UPGRADED MANAGEMENT SYSTEM FOR PROTECTING WORKERS’ RIGHTS

The New York State Department of Labor (NYSDOL) today announced the official launch of NYSDOL’s new Management System for Protecting Workers’ Rights (MPWR) which begins with the Child Performer permits application now being available on MPWR. This creates a more guided and streamlined process for employers, parents, and guardians filling out the application. All employers who work with child performers in New York State must obtain a certificate to employ the performer and parents or guardians must obtain a Child Performer Permit in order for the performer to be eligible to work.

“My roots are in the acting and performance community, so I know how important it is to ensure child performers are protected,” said New York State Department of Labor Commissioner Roberta Reardon. “NYSDOL’s new Management System for Protecting Workers’ Rights not only allows parents and guardians to quickly submit applications for permits, but it also increases security, helping protect New Yorkers from online threats.”

MPWR is a $10 million multi-faceted case management system for NYSDOL’s Division of Worker Protection, set to be completed in 2023. The Child Performer application was the first to be released on MPWR, and so far, more than 550 have applied using MPWR since the application opened on September 29, 2022. As MPWR continues to develop, more applications currently processed by mail will be available online, making application processes quicker, easier, and more secure.

MPWR will also allow New Yorkers to report claims of labor violations, unemployment fraud, and morepm online in multiple languages and receive updates in real time about the status of their claims. It will allow the Department to collect real-time data, enhancing its ability to analyze and identify trends. MPWR is part of NYSDOL’s ongoing 4 year modernization plan, which Governor Hochul announced in June is now at the halfway point.

The requirement to obtain a Child Performer Permit applies to minors who live or work in New York. Performer permits obtained by parents or guardians are free. Employers who apply for permits have to pay a fee. Previously, NYSDOL’s Division of Labor Standards processed paper applications and applicants had to send in checks. MPWR allows for applicants to submit necessary information and receive certification quickly.

For more information on Child Performer permits, visit NYSDOL’s Child Performer webpage.