Despite their significant contribution to every sector of the economy and their growing influence, Latinas continue to experience a wage gap that is particularly stark.
Today, October 5, marks Latina Equal Pay Day, an observance that highlights the pay gap experienced by Latinas in the United States.
On average, Latinas earn just 52 cents for every dollar earned by white, non-Hispanic men.
This figure includes all Latinas, including part-time, seasonal, and migrant workers.
For full-time, year-round workers, the gap is still significant at 57 cents on the dollar.
To make matters worse, Latinas are overrepresented in industries that are underpaid and often lack basic workplace protections.
Immigrant, migrant, part-time, and seasonal workers, as well as domestic and farmworkers, are frequently excluded from critical employment protections.
Additionally, immigrant women are particularly vulnerable to wage theft and sexual harassment.
Until Latinas and other vulnerable workers can achieve economic security, our economy and communities will not be as strong as they can be.
To address this issue, a Latina Equal Pay Day Congressional briefing was held in Washington D.C., while a social media storm occurred at 2 pm ET/11 am PT on October 5.
Equal Pay Today, a nationwide campaign working to promote gender, race, and LGBTQ+ pay equity, partnered with the Labor Council for Latin American Advancement and Justice for Migrant Women to advocate for Latina workers who are underpaid, undervalued, and under-resourced.
The event also featured Deborah J. Vagins, national campaign director for Equal Rights Advocates (ERA), one of the nation’s leading organizations advocating for gender justice.
Equal Pay Today is a collaborative initiative that works with dozens of organizations nationwide to address the gender, racial, and LGBTQ+ pay gap.
For this equal pay day, they organized two actions and called for the support of two pieces of federal legislation:
Did you know? The median annual pay for Latinas
is nearly half of what white, non-Hispanic men are
paid. The #paygap exists across all industries, &
regardless of degree.More info: https://t.co/eO3rkyuYhK@mujerxsrising @equalpay2dayorg & @lclaa#LatinaEqualPay #Trabajadoras pic.twitter.com/BQkOoCcQxl
— Justice for Migrant Women (@mujerxsrising) October 5, 2023
Workers and staff from 32BJ say ¡Págame!
The Latina Pay Gap is not just a women’s issue – it is a labor issue. Pay discrimination of any kind threatens the growth of our economy and the values of our nation.
Together we can fight for #LatinaEqualPay! pic.twitter.com/OiuvZ8bG9O
— LCLAA (@LCLAA) October 5, 2023
Equal work DESERVES equal pay! 💪
Let's fight for #LatinaEqualPay and support the Paycheck Fairness Act to stop workplace gender discrimination for ALL women! https://t.co/68W63Fe6fy pic.twitter.com/HoSSIXmGko— LCLAA (@LCLAA) October 5, 2023
