Indian-American hotel owners in New York City are fighting against a new proposed law called the Safe Hotels Act.
This bill, introduced by Councilwoman Julie Menin, would require hotels to follow stricter rules, such as not outsourcing housekeeping jobs and getting their licenses renewed every year.
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Mukesh Patel, a key member of the New York City Minority Hotel Association (NYCMHA), is worried the bill will hurt small businesses run by immigrant families.
Mukesh Patel, who moved from India 30 years ago, says the bill could increase costs, force hotels to join unions, and even lead to some hotels closing.
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He and other hotel owners say they are still struggling to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic and fear that the new rules will make things worse. They are also concerned that the added regulations might scare off investors and make it harder to get loans.
The hotel owners also point out that their workers already receive training, including on issues like sex trafficking awareness. They question why their industry is being targeted with stricter rules when other businesses also outsource services.
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Councilwoman Julie Menin and supporters of the bill argue that these new regulations are needed to improve safety and address problems like sex trafficking in hotels. They refer to recent crime statistics and complaints as reasons for the tighter oversight.
Indian-American hotel owners hope their concerns will be heard and ask for a fair approach that keeps both hotel guests safe and supports the livelihoods of hardworking immigrant families.