The Changing Workforce, Vulnerable Workers, and Implications for Safety and Health Valeria Velazquez Program Coordinator, Labor Occupational Health Program CROET Conference: Protecting Vulnerable Workers June 8, 2007

Outline for Presentation I. Overview of the Changing Workforce II. Case Studies III. Recommendations

Global Economy

Changing Demographics the labor force more than doubled Changes in who the workers are: –Older –More females –More racial and ethnic diversity

Changing Distribution of Workers by Race/Ethnicity * *2010 projection

More Immigrant Workers –1 out of every 2 new workers added to the US economy since 1995 is an immigrant –Foreign born workers make up about 14% of the workforce –Latinos are the fastest growing ethnic group

Shift from Manufacturing to Service Services Sales Production Construction

“Temp Workers” No Longer Dominated by Office Workers

Non Standard Work Arrangement Now almost a Third of all Jobs Temporary Agency Workers0.9% Direct Hire Temps2.5% On-call and Day Laborers1.7% Contract Company Workers0.6% Independent Contractors6.3% Self-employed Workers4.8% Standard Part-time Workers 13.2% Total:30%

Union Membership Has Declined

Impact of Contingent Work

Health and Safety Contingent workers Low wage workers Immigrant Workers

Low Wage Workers are Disproportionately Employed in The Occupations with High Numbers of MSDs 150% of Poverty Level Mean hourly salary For all workers Average Hourly Wage for Each Occupation (Dollars)

Immigrant Workers

Undercounting and Reporting 1/3 of Poultry Workers now contingent Decline in Reported illness and injury rates

Examples from the Field E ducating Workers E ducating Employers E nforcement

Day Laborers Combine Vocational and Health and Safety Training

Domestic Workers Training combines US domestic worker history, less toxic chemicals, and negotiating techniques

Mujeres Unidas y Activas Negotiation skills and contracts

Asian Pacific Environmental Network Builds Legal, Medical, Community Coalition AXT Workers Rally

Asian Immigrant Women Advocates

Chicago Interfaith Workers’ Rights Center

Recommendations How do we improve the safety and health for these workers?

Strengthen state programs Support workplace efforts Promote local community action Involve immigrant workers Improve data collection Take legislative action Coordinate efforts

Thank you!