To: State Building and Construction Trades Council of California<\/p>\n
From:<\/p>\n
Date: <\/p>\n
Subject: Inequity treatment of immigrant workers in construction<\/p>\n
Issue Statement<\/p>\n
California’s construction industry treats immigrants inequitably. Immigrant construction workers across California are experiencing less social protections resulting in high rates of fatal accidents and less favorable working conditions when compared to non-immigrant construction workers. Construction workers who are foreign-born account for nearly 2.4 million of the industry’s workforce. Immigrant workers in construction are typically younger, less educated, and work in high-risk occupations.Low salaries, working overtime and a disproportionate risk of work-related injuries are the main harms that immigrant workers are facing right now. In the construction industry most of the workers work six to seven days a week. Their salaries are just a bit higher than the minimum wage. There is a pay gap between immigrant workers and similarly qualified domestic workers. A lack of skilled and well-paying jobs for migrants is also an indicator of discrimination in the employment process, since many of them are employed in low-skilled and low-paid jobs that do not match their skills and education. Most importantly, immigrant construction workers face harsh working conditions on a daily basis. As a result of working in the sun for most of the day and heat, they get sunburnt; the loud noise from construction causes hearing impairment; and injuries caused by equipment without protection are very common. Immigrant workers in construction also suffer from lower back pain and muscle strain.<\/p>\n
Extends and Trends<\/p>\n
The immigrant labor force in the U.S. is expected to surge over the next few decades. 26.3 million immigrant workers, or 16.7 percent of the total labor force, were employed in 2015; However, by 2060, the U.S. immigrant workforce will be twice as large as the native-born workforce (Sally C. Moyce & Schenker, 2018).<\/p>\n
Of all the states, California has the highest number of immigrants in the United States. According to US immigration council, more than a quarter of California residents are immigrants, while nearly a quarter of residents are native-born U.S. citizens with at least one immigrant parent (2021). For workers, one in three California workers is an immigrant, collectively making up a significant portion of the state’s workforce in a range of industries (American immigration council, 2021). When it comes to industry, the construction industry accounts for 45% of all workers in the industry, while construction immigrant workers also account for 43% of all workers in that occupation (American immigration council, 2021).<\/p>\n
Construction workers are facing a high rate of fatal accidents. Statistically, 1 in 5 U.S. workers die in the construction industry (U.S. Department of Labor, 2022). In 2019, the number of fatal injuries in construction rose to 1,102, a 41.1 percent increase since 2011 (Brown et al., 2021). The increase in fatalities among Hispanic construction workers was particularly pronounced, surging 89.8% from 2011 to 2019, and was significantly higher than the increase in their employment (Brown et al., 2021). <\/p>\n
There are many reasons why immigrant construction workers in California face such a high death toll, including but not limited to the high number of construction projects in California, the large number of undocumented workers, and the lack of safety regulations. In addition, California’s construction workers, especially those undocumented, often do not receive proper safety training and often work long hours for little pay (Pistiolas, 2022).<\/p>\n
Relevant Context(Undocumented workers)<\/p>\n
Among all immigrants, undocumented immigrants face the largest challenge in Construction industries. In united States, Undocumented immigrants make up a disproportionate share of the construction workforce, and undocumented workers are disproportionately likely to work in constrution industries (Svajlenka N, 2021). According to Center for American Progress, Every one in five undocumented workers are employed in a construction related sector, and more than one in ten construction worker are undocumented (2021). Especially those high risk positon like roofers, they often has high share of workforce that is undocumented. Except for the number of share, undocumented workers also make a huge economic and fiscal contribution including 12.9 billion in federal tax, 7.7 billion in state and local taxes, and 60.7 billion in spending power (Svajlenka N, 2021). Although with these contributions, these workers can enjoy the same benefits as other workers. Their immigrantion status is the biggest obstacle for them to seek the benefits. Employers can easily use their immigrantion status as a threat and prevent them from proteciton. <\/p>\n
Because of the significant of undocumented workers, California state and federal government set a series of law and guildline to protect undocumented immigrant worker\u2019s right. First, California state pass the immigrant worker protection act in 2018, which prohibit the employer from providing voluntary consent to an immigration enforcement agent to enter labor area and to access employee\u2019s records without judicial warrant (Bill Text, 2017). Biden Government also announce two official policies in 2021 and 2022. The U.S. immigrantion authorities will not arrest undocumented workers mssively in labor area (Montoya J, 2021). The U.S. department of labor also give the guidlinece of how undocumented immigrants can seek the deparment\u2019s help to prevent retaliation of their immigrantion status (NELP, 2022). <\/p>\n
Stakeholder Analysis<\/p>\n
Major stakeholders involved in this issue include the primary stakeholders: immigrant workers, secondary stakeholders: employers and government agencies for labor, and external stakeholders: voluntary\/non-government organizations working for immigrant workers and public healthcare providers. <\/p>\n
70% of immigrant construction workers in California are Latino. The interests of them are earning money for their families back home, maintaining employment and avoiding occupational hazards. Immigrant construction laborers show high importance, but with low influence. <\/p>\n
Employers are the stakeholders with high influence. Tinco Sheet Metal and Sierra Pacific West Inc, two typical nonunion constructors in California, both showed interest in cutting costs of firms by remaining low labor wages. They are not eager to raise pay even when home building shoots up. They are looking for flexible recruitment and dismissal terms of immigrant workers and avoid occupational hazards to ensure low medical costs. Government labor authorities took active action, such as amending the law, to bring about change. Law reform proposals place a strong emphasis on interprofessional education and practice. Immigrants who have higher education are better equipped to take advantage of more opportunities. A centralized approach to obtaining job opportunities, social assistance, and life-saving interventions like healthcare is made possible by practice training, which also ensures that immigrants are not limited to working in the informal sector. Immigrant welfare improves as a result, and occupational hazards’ detrimental effects on immigrant health and mortality rates decline.<\/p>\n
The Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights (CHIRLA) serves as the voice of immigrant workers and vulnerable populations. They raise money through fund-raising, volunteer work, and public support. They seek opportunities for equal treatment of migrant labor, rivalry for scarce charitable resources, and media exposure. <\/p>\n
The CalPERS Health Program is governed by the Public Employees’ Medical & Hospital Care Act (PEMHCA), which enables constructors in California to offer employees a high-quality health benefits program while lowering financial risk. If there are negative externalities harming the local population, they want healthy native populations as well as healthy immigrant labor.<\/p>\n
Future Research<\/p>\n
According to the previous content, we can know that undocumented immigrants, who cannot enjoy their rights in full. Status, low education, low language skills are the reasons why they have to accept low wages, long working hours and poor working conditions, which are the same reasons why their bosses choose them. (Svajlenka N, 2021). The government has only given a guideline that shows a positive attitude towards the immigrants, with no additional clear laws to follow to support them in defending their interests(NELP, 2022).<\/p>\n
Depending on the perspective, we have divided the possible issues to be considered into four parts\uff1a<\/p>\n
1\u3001State laws\u2014how to protect them (how to ensure they are no longer bothered by status issues). There is a certain difficulty in terms of data acquisition. <\/p>\n
2\u3001Union perspective\u2014how to improve their rights (provide safety and protection training, language training). The most uncertain area is about training. We cannot be sure that the training will necessarily be helpful for them.<\/p>\n
3\u3001Business perspective\u2014How to improve working environment, provide better working conditions, and improve treatment.<\/p>\n
4\u3001Impact on local\u2014undocumented immigrants are living in poor conditions and with some diseases, what is the impact on local citizens (concern about health and social security).<\/p>\n
Reference<\/p>\n
American Immigration Council. (2021, September 16). Immigrants in California. American Immigration Council. Retrieved October 22, 2022, from https:\/\/www.americanimmigrationcouncil.org\/research\/immigrants-in-california <\/p>\n
Ashaolu, B. (2022, July 12). NELP welcomes new U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) faqs on supporting immigration relief and retaliation protections for immigrant workers. National Employment Law Project. Retrieved October 22, 2022, from https:\/\/www.nelp.org\/news-releases\/nelp-welcomes-new-u-s-department-of-labor-dol-faqs-on-supporting-immigration-relief-and-retaliation-protections-for-immigrant-workers\/<\/p>\n
Bill text. Bill Text – AB-450 Employment regulation: immigration worksite enforcement actions. (n.d.). Retrieved October 22, 2022, from https:\/\/leginfo.legislature.ca.gov\/faces\/billNavClient.xhtml?bill_id=201720180AB450 <\/p>\n
Montoya, J. (n.d.). New administration effort to protect immigrant workers. Retrieved October 22, 2022, from https:\/\/wimlaw.com\/publications\/newsletters\/december-2021\/immigrant-worker-protection <\/p>\n
Svajlenka, N. (2021, February 2). Undocumented Immigrants in Construction. Retrived October 22, 2022 from <\/p>\n
EW-Construction-factsheet.pdf (americanprogress.org)<\/p>\n
Brown, S., Harris, W., D. Brooks, R., & Sue Dong, X. (2021, February). Fatal Injury Trends in the Construction Industry. Data Bulletin. Retrieved October 22, 2022, from https:\/\/www.cpwr.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/DataBulletin-February-2021.pdf <\/p>\n
Brugha, R., & Varvasovszky, Z. (2000). Stakeholder analysis: a review. Health policy and planning, 15(3), 239-246.<\/p>\n
Dearden, P., Jones, S., & Sartorius, R. (2002). Tools for development: A handbook for those engaged in development activity. Londres, Royaume-Uni: Department for International Development (DFID).<\/p>\n
Pistiolas, S. K. (2022, May 23). Why are California workers more likely to die in Construction Accidents? Pistiolas Law. Retrieved October 22, 2022, from https:\/\/workerscomplawcalifornia.com\/index.php\/2022\/03\/23\/workers-more-likely-to-die-in-construction-accidents\/ <\/p>\n
Sally C. Moyce, S., & Schenker, M. (2018, January 24). Migrant workers and their occupational health and safety. Annual Review of Public Health. Retrieved October 22, 2022, from https:\/\/www.annualreviews.org\/doi\/10.1146\/annurev-publhealth-040617-013714 <\/p>\n
The Economics Daily. (2022, May 4). A look at Falls, slips, and trips in the construction industry. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Retrieved October 22, 2022, from https:\/\/www.bls.gov\/opub\/ted\/2022\/a-look-at-falls-slips-and-trips-in-the-construction-industry.htm<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
To: State Building and Construction Trades Council of California From: Date: Subject: Inequity treatment of immigrant workers in construction Issue Statement California’s construction industry treats immigrants inequitably. Immigrant construction workers across California are experiencing less social protections resulting in high rates of fatal accidents and less favorable working conditions when compared to non-immigrant construction workers. […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[10],"class_list":["post-107110","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-research-paper-writing","tag-writing"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/papersspot.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/107110","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/papersspot.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/papersspot.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/papersspot.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/papersspot.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=107110"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/papersspot.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/107110\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/papersspot.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=107110"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/papersspot.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=107110"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/papersspot.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=107110"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}