NEW YORK—Mayor Bill de Blasio signed a bill on Tuesday granting interns protections against employment discrimination under the city’s human rights laws.
Labor laws have grown in scope over decades, but protections for interns remained inadequate. With companies hiring an increasing number of interns in recent years, the issue has come in the spotlight.
The law will address the case of a New York woman who could not be protected against workplace harassment because she was an intern.
“New Yorkers deserve to work in a safe environment without fear of harassment or discrimination—and this legislation will ensure that interns, paid or unpaid, are entitled to workplace protections under the law,” de Blasio said.
The law will take effect immediately.
CORRECTION: An earlier version of this article incorrectly indicated when the intern law would go into effect. It goes into effect immediately. Epoch Times regrets the error.