Study highlights issues facing low-wage workers

“The Future of Work in Minnesota”, released last week by Minnesotans for a Fair Economy, confirms what low-wage workers have been saying in their demonstrations for the past several days: Wages are too low and wage theft, erratic scheduling and lack of paid sick days are serious problems.

The report found:

• The incomes of most Minnesotans have declined in the past 10 years, when adjusted for inflation.
• Many middle class jobs that paid decent wages and benefits were lost during the recent recession and replaced with low-pay service sector jobs.
• Occupations seeing the most growth in Minnesota pay poverty wages and lack benefits such as paid sick time.
• A growing number of workers have had to adapt to employment arrangements that are unstable and unpredictable.
• Large companies have shifted from employing workers directly to greater use of subcontractors, temporary employment agencies and workers misclassified as independent contractors.

All of the factors outlined in the report – low wages, lack of paid sick time and retirement security, erratic scheduling and the growth of part-time and contingent work – affect people across the state; however, the study found these problems disproportionately affect women and people of color. The groups that support the report will use the findings to pursue solutions, including possible legislation.

View the full report at this link.

lack of benefits · loss of middle class jobs · Minnesota income inequality · unpredictable employment · unstable employment