Latin@s Most Likely To Die on Job
Published September 07, 2009 @ 06:47AM PT
That's a harsh title to jolt you out of your Labor Day holiday reprieve, I know. Courtesy of Poverty & Policy, I see that the National Council of La Raza has released a report on Latin@s in the low-wage job market. Like the National Employment Law Project study we covered last Wednesday, NCLR's research reveals a dangerous and highly unequal workplace for low-wage Latino workers, many of them immigrants. The report shows that smart, ethical immigration reform is the "first step" towards reducing worker exploitation and improving the job market for all low-wage workers.
NCLR's key findings (using 2007 data) include:
- Latin@s have had the highest occupational fatality rate for the last 15 years.
- Over 40% of Latin@s earn poverty-level wages, compared to one-third of African-Americans and 22% of white workers.
- Almost half of Latin@ workers lack employer-based health insurance, compared to one-third of African-Americans and one-quarter of white workers.
- Latin@s comprise 37.5% and 45% of the domestic and agricultural workforce, sectors exempted from many labor laws (due to Southern white antipathy towards black workers at the time of the New Deal).
- About one-third of employers legally misclassify workers as independent contractors to avoid providing benefits.
- Caseloads for government workplace safety inspectors (OSHA employees) have quadrupled since 1975.
NCLR takes recommendations to enforce labor law and promote unionization a step further, seeking penalties for labor violations that "fit the crime" and actually encourage deterrence, and pursuing community-based worker organizing that is culturally relevant and sensitive to Latin@ workers. NCLR also calls for modernization of labor laws that exclude domestic and agricultural workers, and for the closure of loopholes that leave day laborers and temp workers without adequate worker protections.
NCLR concludes, "More than ten million American workers, 81% of whom are from Latin American countries, work without legal authorization because our immigration system does not offer sufficient legal channels for immigrants." The report closes with a plea for sensible, humane immigration reform to shut down the "culture of fear" that empowers worker exploitation. as the "first step" to equalizing job markets and improving job quality for all workers.
On this Labor Day weekend, consider taking action to protect and empower Latin@ and all low-wage workers. Stop the hate today. Ask Congress to prioritize comprehensive immigration reform now.
(Photo of Cesar Chavez March, Colorado Springs, CO, March 2009, from AFL-CIO's photostream. Photo by Chuck Bader, Jr.)
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Comments (5)
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Author
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Leigh is a PhD candidate in urban planning at MIT, and a consultant on U.S. Gulf Coast recovery. She sits on the Board of the Allston-Brighton Community Development Corporation in Boston, and has worked with non-profits, foundations and local governments on policies and programs aimed at reducing urban poverty and inequality.
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Posted by Leigh Graham on 09/07/2009 @ 06:20PM PT
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This is not right. I love my latinos. How can I start to really help.
Posted by Emilio Jaca on 09/08/2009 @ 03:04PM PT
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The figures for Latinos fatalities are herendous. Americans should feel spurred into actions, no matter the race we all are human.
The new measure for poverty level, might help people of all shades. At least Two bills are in the US Congress S 1625 and HR 2909 They can be found by going to www.Thomas.gov hitting the search by number circle in inserting the number.
The bill will come up and you need to hit text.
A new Formula was suggested by the National Academy of Sciences in 1995 The bills are introduced in 09.
While I am self taught at Some laws, I would love to find a lawyer who is an expert, or schooled in federal law to learn exactly what are the difference. I would need a set of Federal Code To find out Affecting which Social Security Act, Code Is best.
My gut feeling is HR 2909. But I will Have to do some research to tell. That piece assigns three governmental agencies to complete a new mesurement of poverty within a year. It also allows for interested persons-SUCH as People in Economic Insecurity and their groups to take part. My group will be one of those fighting against another low mesurement. www.Hospitalityhouseofmaine.org
It is my belief even well intended Poverty allies figures the living wage low. As a Maine Tank with left leanings Placed the Cost of living just $2 and hour over the cost of rent. That it 2 times 40 hours or just 80 dollars a week before taxes, to pay for Utilites, food, out of pocket health care, transportation, repairs, gifts to loved ones, Day care if you are a parent, clothes, furniture etc. Oh wait gift to loved one is not mentioned in Labor Buerue Calculations.
Am I weird or does $360 a months seem to Low to pay for all the other basics besides rent? I will call this group and tell them. Since I know one person who might have worked on the livable income from a decade ago, I expect this to have No impact. He has the degrees the Poor should listen to him.
This Lowball figures are produced in many states and nationally. If this passes and the National Academy of Sciences' or the social security adminstration comes up with an artificially Low number We could be stuck with that for another sixties years Need hand written Letters and emails to your states US Senators, and Representives.
Anyone who better understand the intend of both of bills and other similar bills, Please post and tell me.
You see what I mean Health care has not gone through and so called liberal groups are counted it as income.
They
Posted by jan Lightfootlane on 09/09/2009 @ 09:16AM PT
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how can I help these people.you can also search for jobs in www.adsglobe.com and and post your resumes for free.
Posted by tania bailey on 09/11/2009 @ 02:53AM PT
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An interesting note to this post is that many immigrants enter this country with something called an immigrant investor visa. This visa is given if the immigrant in question is pumping at least $500,000 into the economy and creating at least 8 jobs. The fatalities for these immigrant run businesses (the vast majority of which remain qualified as small businesses) have among the lowest fatality rates in the country. So, while immigrant workers may be having high fatality rates, immigrant run businesses are faring much better.
Posted by Mike Fitzgerald on 11/20/2009 @ 07:10AM PT
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