MEDIA ADVISORY
For Immediate Release
CONTACT :
Elizabeth Shapiro
Chief Operations Officer
Elizabeth.shapiro@bizfed.org
323-889-4348
BizFed INFORMS BUSINESS OWNERS ON PROTECTING WORKFORCE IN CASE OF IMMIGRATION ENFORCEMENT
Program also educated small businesses about how to access contracting opportunities with the county and compliance with new minimum wage.
LOS ANGELES, Calif. (August 16, 2018) – Los Angeles County Business Federation (BizFed) partnered with Congresswoman Lucille Roybal-Allard (CD 40), the Paramount Chamber of Commerce and other local chambers throughout the district, the U.S. Small Business Administration, and the Los Angeles County Department of Consumer and Business Affairs to educate small business owners on policies currently being implemented that affect their business and employees.
Part of this training for small businesses included how to protect their workforce in case Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Officials initiate an audit or show up at the worksite in search of an individual or for a general sweep. In light of increasing anxiety in immigrant communities due to promises of increased enforcement by the Trump administration, the event drew a diverse group of native born and immigrant business owners who wish to protect their businesses and employees from disruption.
“I’m very glad to have my office partnering with local business groups like BizFed and the Paramount Chamber to help small business owners grow and protect their businesses and employees,” said Congresswoman Roybal-Allard. “The business owners in this room are investing in our communities, growing their businesses here, and employing our neighbors. This lunch is intended to help these owners as they develop small local businesses throughout the County, and to understand their rights and responsibilities in the event they have to interact with ICE.”
BizFed Informs is a series of programs specifically designed for local businesses and how they need to comply with enacted laws at the local, state and federal levels. In addition to the ICE education, LA County staff was on hand to inform small businesses about how to take advantage of LA County’s policy for 25% of contracts to be awarded to small business and how to comply with the County’s minimum wage, which increases again on July 1st.
“BizFed is proud to partner with our elected officials at every level of government to get these important messages out to business owners, our economy can grow and be resilient to influence positive change together” said Elizabeth Shapiro, BizFed Chief Operating Officer. “Immigration, empowerment of small emerging entrepreneurs, and supporting good new jobs are all top of mind for many of us in Southern California, plus there are many other policies that affect businesses and our regional economy. Business Makes LA Work, so we need to make sure businesses thrive.”
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About Los Angeles County Business Federation (BizFed)
With more than 170 business organizations representing 390,000 employers with 3.5 million employees throughout L.A. County, BizFed is a massive, diverse grassroots alliance that advocates for policies and projects that strengthen the regional economy. Leveraging power in numbers, BizFed explores all sides of critical issues and takes action to make a difference for business growth, job creation, and economic vitality in Southern California.
