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Groundbreaking Report Chronicles Widespread Labor Abuses
By Thomas Hillman
In a newly released report, the National Employment Law Project details the prevelance of labor law violations in three major U.S. cities. "Broken Laws, Unprotected Workers" exposes widespread violations in New York, Chicago, and Los Angeles, by gender, race, industry, and immigration status.
According to the study, 26% of low-wage workers were paid below minimum wage in the previous week and 76% of those who worked more than 40 hours were not paid overtime.
"Broken Laws, Unprotected Workers" is unique in that it is the first study to broadly sample low-wage workers, including those who are often missed on standard surveys because they are undocumented or paid in cash.
Among the researchers' most surprising findings was the extent to which employers successfully pressured injured workers not to file workers' compensation claims. Of those surveyed who suffered severe injuries at work, only 8 percent filed claims and only 6 percent received payment.
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