The true meaning of vulnerability
Admittedly, Covid conditions are being to wear on me. Another Sunday in my dorm room, unable to hang out with friends or work out in the gym. We are so close to finals so I am trying hard to stay upbeat given the confinement at our school. The silver lining is being able to go to classes in person, but day after day is adding up. It is another Sunday to get homework done, call my parents, and I admit, catch up on Instagram. Also, another day when I would usually be practicing lacrosse to peruse the internet.
I feel like blogging. I just stumbled upon In A Vulnerable State: Hispanic Essential Workers in California, which was produced by the Milken Institute. The report highlighted the fact that the COVID-19 pandemic has “…disrupted the global order, halting economic activity in all but the most critical industries. Yet questions remain: What is “essential” work? How have distinct groups of essential workers experienced the pandemic? And can policy reforms mitigate specific challenges to their well-being?”
The report provides data regarding California’s essential workforce by race, occupation, and benefits. It begins by stating that Hispanics are over-represented in California’s Essential Workforce. Based on 2019 Current Population Survey data, over 43% of the essential workers in California are Hispanic, while only 38% are white. According to the survey, Hispanics in California are concentrated in the following industries and make the median wages reported below:
· Registered Nurses: 14.3%, $38.65/hr.
· Driver/Sales Workers and Truck Drivers: 54.7%, $18.75/hr.
· Construction Laborers; 71.0%, $18.00/hr.
· Agricultural Workers: 89.0%, $12.00/hr.
· Laborers (Freight, Stock & Material Movers): 59.2%, $15.50/hr.
· Office Clerks, General: 43.9%, $17.39/hr.
· Janitors and Building Cleaners: 63.5%, $15.00/hr.
· Cashiers: 56.4%, $13.10/hr.
· Customer Service Representatives: 41.8%, $17.00/hr.
· Teacher Assistants: 49.7%, $16.00/hr.
· Nursing, Psychiatric, and Home Health Aides: 42.9%, $15.00/hr.
Not only are Hispanics the majority of the essential workers in California, but they also hold the majority of lower-wage jobs in the State’s largest essential industries. Jobs such as agricultural work, janitorial and building cleaning, and cashier work are the lowest paid and the highest percentage of Hispanics. Far fewer Hispanics work in higher-wage essential occupations like nursing ($39 per hour) and teaching ($32 per hour).
As a result, Hispanic workers, even if essential, are particularly vulnerable due to their concentration in specific occupations. Hispanic essential workers earn lower wages across the board, but they also have less access to healthcare, and are less likely (and able) to work from home to protect themselves and their families from COVID. For instance, agricultural workers must report to farms/orchards to maintain and harvest crops, and feed/care for livestock. Similarly, grounds maintenance roles require being physically present at private residences or commercial spaces.
As a result, Hispanics are potentially subjecting them to higher levels of exposure to COVID-19. Over the past year, significant outbreaks have been linked to these types of activities, regardless of employers providing workers with personal protective equipment (PPE) and the enforcement of health and safety measures by state inspectors.
To top it off, Hispanic essential workers are more likely than other groups to lack access to health insurance coverage. According to American Community Survey data, nearly 15% of Hispanic essential workers have no health insurance coverage, more than triple the proportion of white essential workers. Even more disturbing, only one-third of Hispanics are insured through their employers, while one-fifth of eligible Hispanics are not enrolled in Medicaid.
I agree with the Milken Institute that “…stricter safety protections at the workplace, expanded access to unemployment and health insurance benefits and improved compensation can provide Hispanic essential workers with key safeguards against the pandemic’s adverse effects and resulting economic downturn.”
In my opinion, I believe the State needs to support Hispanic essential workers during the pandemic by:
· Increasing education to Hispanic workers in order to access the existing unemployment insurance system. Unfortunately, the current requirements to file for unemployment insurance benefits are difficult for non-native speakers with low levels of education and limited English fluency. The State should institute targeted educational campaigns and direct one-on-one assistance (including online) with unemployment insurance enrollment.
· Instituting hazard pay for essential workers earning below-median wages who must physically report to work by offering tax credits to employers that provide a pay increase to these workers.
· Revising income tax relief through the Earned Income Tax Credit to provide immediate cash relief to low-income essential workers, allowing them to amend their 2019 returns within six months of the July 15 filing deadline and helping them claim these tax credits.
Having worked side by side all summer for two summers, I now realize more fully the dangers that my work crew has to face individually and as a community day in and day out.