WASHINGTON, Sept. 3 /PRNewswire/ -- Corporate Voices for Working Families today released key findings from qualitative and quantitative research on America's workers who make less than $11 per hour and have a family income of $40,000 or less. The research report, entitled "Struggling to Make Ends Meet: Low-Wage Work in America," indicates there is a widespread concern over the worsening problem of low-wage work, and that the general voting public and low-wage workers believe it is critical that corporations and government work to improve the low-wage crisis -- particularly focusing on creating jobs that can support families and for employers to provide better benefits and job skills training.
Between 2002 and 2012, the Labor Department expects the economy to create more than 7.5 million new jobs, however almost 6 million of those new jobs will be low-wage jobs (those jobs that require limited education and provide minimal training). There is agreement between the majority of the general voting public and low-wage workers themselves that the preferred solution is better jobs that pay higher wages and offer benefits. There is an overall belief that the best antidote for a low-wage job is a good job.
"With the dramatic increase of low-wage jobs, Corporate Voices sought to hear clearly the voices of low-wage workers and how America sees them. The survey shows that the more Americans know about the conditions of the low-wage workers, the more they care about fixing the problems these low-wage workers face every day," states Donna Klein, President and CEO of Corporate Voices. "Our mission is to make sure more Americans know about the important issues affecting working families and find solutions that help these employees be productive workers and caring family members."
"This statistical information reveals there is a powerful call to action to the business community and our government to meet the needs of these working families who comprise such a large and growing proportion of the American workforce," commented Klein. "There is also a legitimate need to educate the business community and share 'best practices' more widely to encourage all employers -- large and small -- to invest in programs and policies that meet the needs of low-wage workers. There is also a clear need for bi-partisan Congressional action to address the problems low-wage working families face."
The survey, conducted by Hart Research and Wirthlin Worldwide and supported by the Ford and Annie E. Casey Foundations, covers three topic areas: 1) problem of low-wage work in today's American economy; 2) the financial conditions and concerns of low-wage workers and their families; and 3) possible policy solutions. The main survey sample consisted of 804 registered voters nationwide. The same survey was also conducted among a national sample of 583 low-wage workers, defined as employed adults age 18 to 64 who work at least 20 hours per week, make less than $11/hour and have a total annual household income below $40,000.* In addition to the national survey, six focus groups were conducted with employers in small and medium enterprises and low-wage workers of diverse demographics.
Key findings of Struggling to Make Ends Meet: Low-Wage Work in America include:
Public concern over low-wage outlook:
* 68% of the general voting public believes that most jobs being created
in the U.S. economy are lower-paying jobs without benefits and by 62% to
21%, the general voting public believes that low-wage/no-benefit jobs
are a bigger problem than a shortage of jobs.
* Six out of 10 voters think that the problem of low-wage work has gotten
more serious in the past few years and 70% believe that conditions for
low-wage workers are a very or fairly serious problem.
* Overall, "swing voters" express more concern than decided voters over
the conditions for low-wage workers, and express greater conviction that
more should be done.
* 59% of the general voting public report that a worker needs an income of
at least $40,000 to support a family of four.
* While awareness of the growth in low-wage work is widespread, the survey
reveals that the general voting public's knowledge about the low-wage
workforce is limited. Only 41% know that low-wage workers are over the
age of thirty and just 34% are aware that most low-wage workers are
white, rather than black or Hispanic. Conditions for low-wage workers: (Compared responses of low-wage workers to
those of higher-wage workers, that is, those who earn $11 per hour or more.) * 71% of low-wage workers believe that improvements are needed in their
job situation today
* Just 38% of low-wage workers receive health insurance from their
employer (compared to 69% of higher-wage workers).
* Only 47% of low-wage workers receive paid sick leave (compared to 75% of
higher-wage workers) and 47% of low-wage workers are offered a
retirement plan (compared to 80% of higher-wage workers).
* One of the most fundamental divides between low-wage workers and the
general voting public has to do with the ability to save money for the
future: 22% of low-wage workers report that they earn enough to put
aside some money in savings, while 54% earn only enough to keep up with
current bills and another 23% acknowledge not earning enough even to
keep up with their bills.
* Low-wage workers worry about the following: 1.) their incomes won't keep
pace with the cost of living (66% worry often), 2. they will not have
enough money for retirement (65%), 3. they will face health expenses
they cannot afford (65%), and 4. that they will take on more debt than
they can handle (60%).
* 28% of low-wage workers rate their own economic and financial situation
as excellent or good, while 60% of higher-wage workers feel they have an
excellent or good financial situation.
Solutions: Addressing the problems of low-wage work:
* 71% of the general voting public feels that improving conditions for
low-wage workers and their families will also benefit the rest of
society.
* 49% of the general voting public believes that employers should play the
lead role in addressing the problems low-wage workers face, while 25%
believe government should play the lead role.
* Both groups are clearly looking for the companies that employ low-wage
workers to step up to the plate and provide better wages and benefits.
* Low-wage workers are especially eager to see the government impose new
requirements on employers regarding compensation and conditions for
low-wage workers. Low-wage workers express intense support for such
policies as requiring employers to provide health insurance (66%
strongly favor), requiring two weeks paid vacation (66%), raising the
minimum wage (63%), and requiring employers to provide retirement
benefits (62%).
* The general voting public says it strongly or somewhat favors each of
the following: providing tax incentives to firms that create good jobs
in America (85%), requiring employers to provide and help pay for health
insurance for their employees (84%), want the government to help working
parents find and pay for quality child care (79%) and endorse the idea
of government providing discounted health insurance to workers not
covered on the job (78%).
The margin of error for the general public sample is +/- 3.5%, and for the low-wage worker
sample is +/- 4.1%
Full copies of the Executive Summary, "Struggling to Make Ends Meet: Low-Wage Work in America"
are available online at http://www.CorporateVoices.org.
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