How employers take advantage of low-wage workers

If you were being paid below the minimum wage, not given any money for overtime, denied health benefits and denied workers’ compensation benefits after you hurt yourself on the job, you’d have something to say about all that, wouldn’t you?

Unfortunately for many workers, employers do all of the above – and more – with little or no consequence. That’s because employers are taking advantage of a population less able to defend itself – low-wage workers.

Low-wage workers: underpaid and denied workers’ comp benefits

A recent study that examined workers in three large cities – New York, Chicago and Los Angeles – found that 68 percent of the workers they interviewed had been the victims of a pay-related workplace violation in the last week.

What about workers’ compensation claims? Here the statistics are alarming. According to researchers, only eight percent of workers seriously injured on the job filed for workers’ compensation benefits. These are benefits that would give these workers money for medical care and lost wages while they recover from their injuries.

Top 10 industries that take advantage of low-wage workers

What kinds of employers are taking advantage of workers? The answers might surprise you. According to the study “Broken Laws, Unprotected Workers” workers in the following industries were paid below the minimum wage:

Apparel and textile manufacturing: 43 percent of workers paid below the minimum wage
Personal and repair services: 42 percent
Private households: 42 percent
Retail and drug stores: 26 percent
Grocery stores: 24 percent
Security, building and grounds services: 22 percent
Food and furniture manufacturing, transportation and warehousing: 19 percent
Restaurants and hotels: 18 percent
Residential construction: 13 percent
Home health care: 12 percent

Who is being cheated?

The study found that the majority of individuals suffering from these illegal workplace practices are women. African Americans are three times more likely than white workers to experience a workplace violation. Lastly, illegal immigrants suffer disproportionately more workplace unfairness than legal workers – a statistics that is sure to further ignite the immigration debate.

How to some business owners justify these horrifying statistics? Some small business owners claim that they have to pay under minimum wage and deny expensive workers’ compensation benefits in order to remain competitive. However there is no justification for these illegal pay practices and no valid explanation for why business owners are denying workers’ compensation benefits to their injured employees.

We can help injured New York workers

Do you know somebody in New York struggling to secure workers’ comp benefits after a serious workplace injury? Are you a New Yorker fighting for your workers’ comp benefits? You don’t need to struggle against the system alone. The experienced NY workers’ compensation claims lawyers at Markhoff & Mittman can help you protect your rights and get the compensation you deserve. Please contact us today and let our lawyers review your case for free.