Today we observe Latina Equal Pay Day. Latinas are one of the fastest growing groups in the United States, wielding more economic and political power than ever before. Latinas excel in every sector and industry in our country. Despite all of this, in 2022, Latinas continued to face the pay gap that is, on average, 52 cents to every dollar paid to white, non-Hispanic men. This number includes all Latinas with reported earnings, like part-time, seasonal, and migrant workers. For full-time, year-round workers, the wage gap is still a shockingly low 57 cents for every dollar paid to white, non-Hispanic men. The wage disparity is a clear reflection of the economic hurdles Latinas continue to encounter.
Latinas are overrepresented in industries that are underpaid and often lack basic workplace protections. These include farmworkers, child care, and domestic workers, as well as migrant, seasonal, and part-time worker groups which continue to be left out of critical employment protections. Until these women who perform some of the most essential jobs are able to achieve economic security, our economy and communities will not be as strong as they possibly can be.
We believe achieving pay equity is not just a goal; it’s a necessity. For this equal pay day we will be organizing around two actions and call on you for your support two pieces of federal legislation:
- Passing the Fairness Paycheck Act, a bill first introduced in 1997 that would require employers to prove why pay disparities exist, prohibit them from asking about salary history, and be more transparent about how workers who feel they’re underpaid can seek recourse, according to the 19th. The bill has repeatedly stalled in Congress largely due to Republican opposition (Galvan).
- The Raise the Wage Act of 2023, which aims to raise the federal minimum wage to $17 an hour by 2028. This bill will eliminate subminimum wages for tipped workers, workers with disabilities, and youth workers, ensuring equal pay for all covered by the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).
Together, by supporting these legislative initiatives, we can improve the laws that do not serve our communities as a whole and pave the way for a more equitable future where all workers are paid what they rightfully earn. Join us as we seek justice and equality on Latina Equal Pay Day and all year round.
References:
https://www.axios.com/2023/03/14/equal-pay-day-latinas-wage-gap
Galavan, Astrid, Latinas Wont See Equal Pay Day for Several More Months (3/14/2023) Retrieved from: https://www.axios.com/2023/03/14/equal-pay-day-latinas-wage-gap
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