Scissura to City Hall: Pay attention to small business owners
Says restrictions should be eased
The de Blasio administration’s move to give workers paid sick leave is admirable, but the city should also be looking out for the needs of small business owners, according to Carlo Scissura, president and CEO of the Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce.
“We applaud Mayor Bill de Blasio and Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito for addressing the needs of all workers in New York City. However, this is the first step in a larger discussion about the needs of small businesses and their employees. While we work to address the imbalances of workers, we must ensure that the needs of small businesses – the engine of job growth throughout the five boroughs – are taken into account and addressed,” Scissura said in a statement.
Scissura, whose organization has 1,500 members, was reacting to the recent announcement by the mayor and council speaker of a plan to expand the number of employees that will be entitled to paid sick time.
The proposed legislation will require businesses with five or more employees to provide paid sick time to its employees. Under current city law, businesses with 15 or more employees are required to provide paid sick time.