Senator Edward Kennedy of Massachusetts and other lawmakers have proposed legislation
that they say would bolster protections against discrimination, the Associated
Press reports.
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Get Your Report Now!One of the measure's provisions would amend the Equal Pay Act to allow workers
to recover damages in cases of wage discrimination based on gender, according
to the AP. In addition, the bill would make mandatory arbitration agreements
unenforceable.
Kennedy contends recent court decisions have eroded some of the protections
covered under existing law.
"Courts have let us down by unacceptably narrow constructions of existing
law, or where Congress has unfortunately been less than clear," says Kennedy.
The bill would also offer increased protection for undocumented workers, according
to Rep. John Lewis of Georgia, sponsor of the bill in the House. Undocumented
workers would be able to recover back wages if they are victims of unfair labor
practices.
Source: Associated
Press, via Newsday (New York)