A movement of our own.

An independent voice for the South Asian American.

The purpose of the Alliance of South Asian American Labor (ASAAL) is to ensure fairness, respect, dignity, and opportunity for advancement in every sphere of life — including the workplace — for all South Asian workers. ASAAL realizes that without an independent voice unique to the needs of the South Asian American, the chance of recognition, representation, and opportunity to fulfill one's dream is remote.

A free and progressive movement in the 21st century should and must reflect greater participation of South Asian Americans at every level, and have the South Asian workforce advance in their respective workplaces — public or private.

Our desire is to empower the South Asian community so that they have clout with politicians, elected officials, and decision-makers in their respective communities and get the resources they have earned through their volunteerism, hard work, and dedication. We are the fastest-growing community according to the census, and we believe government services must reflect that growth.

ASAAL is the only South Asian organization that is working as a bridge between American politics and our community. Afghans, Bangladeshis, Bhutanese, Indians, Maldivians, Nepalese, Pakistanis, and Sri Lankans now have a platform to express their voices, seek demands, and volunteer to bring results for the community.

ASAAL has been fighting for the community and labor — whether protesting childcare, library, and hospital cuts, preventing layoffs, rallying for immigration reform, or lobbying politicians. ASAAL strongly opposes child labor worldwide and vehemently opposes outsourcing American jobs. American jobs must stay here for Americans. We want the South Asian American community to get its fair share of the American Dream — and with ASAAL's help, we will do just that.

Civic engagement, in every field, in every state.

ASAAL believes an active, educated, motivated, and mobilized South Asian American workforce can become a strategic partner of the labor movement, politicians, and elected officials. Our vision is to create chapters in every state in the United States — and go international.

We want a representative voice at the table at all levels of decision-making that affect our community. From the community board to the union hall, from the chambers of elected officials to the corporate board room, we demand dignity and respect for the South Asian American community in general and for the individual in particular.

We must increase the participation of South Asian voters by testifying at Boards of Elections in support of introducing majority-spoken South Asian languages on the election ballot under § 203 of the Federal Voting Rights Act, and have an option for interpreters for the remaining spoken languages — creating employment opportunities for hundreds of South Asian Americans on Election Days and beyond.

We are insisting that all South Asians — from accountants and bookkeepers to zookeepers; from small business owners to Wall Street investors; from our community activists to its leaders — join the ASAAL movement and take leadership in bringing our families, friends, and neighbors together for a brighter future for all.

From founding in 2008 to a 22-chapter national federation.

The Alliance of South Asian American Labor (ASAAL) was founded in 2008. By 2022 we had 18 chapters in ten states — nine in New York State, and one each in New Jersey, Georgia, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Florida, Virginia, Maryland, California, and Washington, DC. Today we count 22 chapters across 12 states.

Our mission is to continue to contact South Asian Americans who are already union members and encourage them to get involved in their respective unions and the labor movement; to motivate the rest of the community to join a union job or form a union where there isn't one; and to merge the rest of the community's issues with labor demands whenever possible.

We pledge to work in coalition with organized labor and other allies — including the local chapters of the Coalition of Black Trade Unions (CBTU), Labor Council for Latin American Advancement (LCLAA), Asian Pacific American Labor Alliance (APALA), and the NAACP.

ASAAL has one of the most vigorous endorsement processes of any election. When we endorse a candidate, we are there for them to win the race. Our dedicated volunteers' door-knocking, hand-shaking, and phone-banking is what our endorsed candidates love most. We have helped elect South Asians at City, State, and Federal levels — including the first Asian Congresswoman from the East, Grace Meng (2012), the first South Asian State Senator from Georgia (2018), and three South Asians in NYC in 2021.

The largest South Asian labor-based community organization.

We're looking for members who will bring innovative methods and cutting-edge ideas to help grow our diverse membership base, support workers' rights, and build power across professions — engineers, scientists, doctors, self-employed individuals, non-profit employees, and beyond.

Whatever your profession, whatever your origin in the South Asian diaspora — there's a place for you at ASAAL. Join us.