LD 32 Assembly members issue statements after committee advances their legislation to safeguard human rights during global sporting event
(TRENTON) — Legislation from Assemblyman Ravi Bhalla (D-Hoboken) and Assemblywoman Katie Brennan (D-Jersey City) to safeguard human rights during the 2026 FIFA World Cup advanced today out of the Assembly Community Development and Women’s Affairs Committee.
Bill A3991 would require certain State agencies, municipalities, and other entities involved in hosting the 2026 FIFA World Cup and related festivities to submit reports documenting how they are meeting the commitments laid out in the NY/NJ Human Rights Report and the FIFA World Cup 2026 Human Rights Framework.
The legislators issued the following statements after their bill advanced out of committee:
“Big events like the World Cup rely on thousands of workers to staff ticket lines, clean restrooms, and maintain facilities late into the night. They are the backbone of what makes an event of this scale possible, and they deserve our support,” said Assemblyman Ravi Bhalla. “This bill makes clear that these workers must not be overlooked. It reinforces commitments to fair pay, safe workplaces, and protection from exploitation, and it makes sure that they are seen, valued, and protected under the law. If New Jersey is going to welcome the world, we have to do it the right way.”
“When New Jersey put together its bid to host the World Cup, the state committed to protecting tournament workers, visitors, and residents from human trafficking, unsafe working conditions, discrimination, and wage theft. This bill makes sure that the state agencies tasked with keeping people safe are doing their jobs,” said Assemblywoman Katie Brennan. “Right now, the public has no way of knowing whether those commitments are actually being kept. This bill puts those plans on the record before the first match, when there’s still time to fix what’s not working.”