Death of Hispanic Workers on the Rise

While deaths in the workplace have declined over the last 20 years, the number of Hispanic workers who are killed on the job has increased. According to federal statistics, deaths of Hispanic workers increased from 533 in 1992 to 937 in 2007, an increase of 76%.

“I am particularly concerned about our Hispanic workforce, as Latinos often work low-wage jobs and are more susceptible to injuries in the workplace than other workers,” U.S. Labor Secretary Hilda Solis told USA TODAY. “There can be no excuses for negligence in protecting workers, not even a language barrier.”

According to records, Hispanic workers have fallen off roofs and scaffolding, been crushed under machinery and run over by trucks, according to workers’ rights advocates. One reason for the increase is the number of Hispanics in the workforce. In the last decade, Hispanics have increased their percentage in the workforce from 10% to 14%. Another is that many Hispanic workers are without legal documentation to be in the U.S. and are less likely to join a union, which helps protect workers.

Source: USA Today

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