Latino Workers
(Photo: needpix.com)

COVID-19 does not pick and choose who it infects. It has already spread worldwide, and almost every nation on Earth has infected people.

However, according to experts, this infectious disease, now categorized as a pandemic, will lead to more suffering among Latino workers because of inequality in a society molded by structural racism and low-income jobs without any chance of telework.

When the COVID-19 pandemic ends in this country, Christopher Hayes, a labor historian, said, "We will see an unjust distribution of viruses and fatalities" along with the class and races' intersecting lines. The said historian came up with a forecast based on the report on wage inequalities among Latino workers.

According to statistics, one in every three Latinos is living in poverty. Meanwhile, one in every two Latino families falls under low-waged households.

Concerning this, almost 60 percent of Latinos earn below $15 per hour against the 39 percent of full-time workers in general. 

Unduly Represented in Jobs

Unfortunately, Latino workers are reportedly unduly in jobs that have irregular schedules of work, last-minute changes in shifts, as well as unstable shifts.

Below 30 percent of Latino workers are qualified for, and can afford to take unpaid sick or family leave, the Salud America research review said.

Both preschool and child care are considered necessities for working families. Additionally, only 34.9 percent of parents in families that have kids can telework.

Meaning, the Economic Policy Institute said, "not only are the Latino workers' jobs susceptible but the caring for their children, is possible, as well."

Previously, far lesser Latino children, about 52 percent enroll in centers for early care and education (ECE), compared 63 percent of their white peers.

Relatively, Latino families are facing barriers to the use of ECE centers. Such restrictions include high cost, poor outreach, and limited availability.

Presently, schools are not operational, thus making Latinos face yet another threatening choice.

Indeed, parents encounter impossible options and are left knitting together a so-called "patchwork of care," or sacrificing careers that impact the economic security of their family.

Recommendations

Two new measures from the federal government are poised to help. One solution is the $2-trillion COVID-19 stimulus bill targets to bail out families and small businesses.

Additionally, there's the "Family First Coronavirus Response Act," which will offer paid sick leave. The same act covers unemployment health insurance, free COVID-19 tests, and nutrition aid, as well.

Moreover, according to the Economic Policy Institute, there are considerable loopholes in the paid leave coverage provided, and it won't help much to help the approximated three million workers, which include "900,000 leisure and hospitality workforce that will possibly lose jobs by summer.

Meanwhile, the Center for American Progress suggests that lawmakers can do more and better to protect Latino workers.

Among the recommended efforts are ensuring paid leaves for all workers, securing more translation jobs for health clinics and hospitals, guaranteeing low-waged people can access the free COVID-19 test and treatment, and sending cash directly to families.

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