Invest in Latino Workers for a Stronger Economy

Invest in Latino Workers for a Stronger Economy The strength of the American economy is increasingly linked to the strength of the Latino workforce. Despite a depressed job market, the Latino labor force has grown every quarter since the beginning of 2009 while the labor force overall has fluctuated widely. Latinos’ share of the American labor force is expected to increase from 14.8% in 2010 to 18.6% by 2020.

Given the ongoing unemployment crisis, in which Hispanics face a 10.5% unemployment rate— double what it was before the recession—it is no surprise that jobs and the economy are top concerns among Hispanic voters going into the 2012 election. Latinos are looking to policymakers to enact policies that spur job creation in communities hit hard by the recession, make strong investments in adult education and skills training, and improve wages and working conditions for workers in low-wage jobs. The following policy recommendations would significantly improve employment opportunities for Latinos: Create jobs through major public investments in rebuilding neighborhoods and transit systems. The pending reauthorization of SAFETEA-LU, the federal transportation law, is an opportunity to capture the major job creation potential of transportation-related projects, which currently employ 1.1 million Hispanics. “Project Rebuild” (H.R. 3502) is another promising bill that would employ people to rehabilitate homes and businesses in neighborhoods with large numbers of vacant and foreclosed properties. “Project Rebuild” builds on the success of the Neighborhood Stabilization Program (NSP) administered by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). NSP funds have created an estimated 90,000 jobs since 2008.

Defend investments in adult education and workforce development to tackle America’s skills crisis. With so many Americans out of work, it is reprehensible that U.S. businesses cannot find qualified workers to fill job openings. Congress should protect funding for programs to help low-skilled and limited-English-proficient adults prepare for jobs in the short term and gain the necessary skills to pursue the postsecondary education and training needed for the jobs of tomorrow. Policymakers should oppose legislation that aims to consolidate and cut workforce development program funds at the expense of vulnerable populations.

Improve work opportunities for Latino youth. The capacity of young Latinos to contribute to the nation’s economic growth today and to meet the demands of businesses in the future is critical to national prosperity and global competitiveness. Record-high youth unemployment rates call for prioritizing paid work experience targeted to disadvantaged youth. Promising proposals include the “Pathways Back to Work Act” (H.R. 3425/S. 1861) and the “Transportation Job Corps Act of 2011” (H.R. 929).

Bring dignity and safety to all work through stronger worker protections. Latinos are more likely than other workers to hold jobs with low wages, insufficient benefits, and dangerous working conditions. Poor job quality impacts the financial stability and health of workers, their families, and entire communities. Congress should bolster the capacity of federal agencies, especially the Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division and Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) to enforce basic worker protections.

For more information, contact: Catherine Singley, Senior Policy Analyst, NCLR, at csingley@nclr.org or Emma Oppenheim, Workforce Development Manager, NCLR, at eoppenheim@nclr.org