November 1, 2016 - NHLA Observes Latina Equal Pay Day on National Day of Action

NHLA OBSERVES LATINA EQUAL PAY DAY ON NATIONAL DAY OF ACTION

MIAMI, Florida – Today the National Hispanic Leadership Agenda (NHLA), a coalition of 40 of the nation's preeminent Latino advocacy organizations, is observing Latina Equal Pay Day with more than a hundred women’s rights groups, Latino advocacy organizations, the labor movement and workers’ rights advocates. November 1, 2016, marks the day when Latina workers’ pay catches up to that of white, non-Hispanic men from the previous year.

“It takes Latinas 22 months to make what white men earn in 12, which is especially disheartening considering that more than half of Latinas are working in low wage jobs yet are the breadwinners for their families,” said Jessica González-Rojas, Co-Chair of NHLA’s Latina Task Force and Executive Director of the National Latina Institute for Reproductive Health (NLIRH). “We know that when Latinas experience wage inequality, it also makes it difficult for them to access needed reproductive health services. Forcing Latinas to take a back seat in the workplace forces our community to make impossible choices every day such as whether to put food on the table or to see a doctor. I am proud to co-lead the Latina Task Force and support the NHLA Agenda to shine a light on these inequalities as well as provide context and concrete solutions to advocate for gender equity. We must ensure fairness in the workplace and prevent roadblocks to health care access for the Latinas who are the backbones of our families and communities."

According to the most recent Income and Poverty data from the U.S. Census Bureau, Latinas typically earn only 54 cents for every dollar earned by White, non-Hispanic men. Such disparity creates a lasting impact on Latinas, their families, and their communities. Income disparities in Latino households create barriers against accumulating savings, thus influencing areas such as homeownership, retirement, and access to childcare. Latina Equal Pay Day provides an opportunity to recognize these obstacles and understand their impact nationwide.

“Today we stand together to observe Latina Equal Pay Day and to declare it unacceptable that Latinas earn 54 cents for every dollar earned by white, non-Hispanic men. This should cause everyone to pause, reflect, and act,” said Patti Tototzintle, Co-Chair of NHLA’s Latina Task Force and Chief Executive Officer of Casa de Esperanza. “This wage gap keeps Latinas and their families at income levels that make it difficult to maintain their homes and other necessities needed to thrive as individuals and families. Latinas, young and old, that are experiencing violence in their homes, should never be trapped with a sense that the money they earn makes it impossible for them and their children to survive. The NHLA Public Policy Agenda lifts up the need for all of us to work to ensure gender equity in the workplace.”

As part of the day’s events, NHLA member Labor Council for Latin American Advancement (LCLAA) will host the National Latina Equal Pay Day Event in Miami, Florida on November 1, 2016, from 4:30 - 8:00 pm ET. The event will begin with a phone bank to Latino voters. Following the phone bank, speakers and panelists will discuss Latina equal pay as a national issue and use the event as a way of uniting people across the country on one common goal.

The wage gap continues to affect Latinas across the nation and such a disparity remains unacceptable. A recent poll conducted by American Women, Voto Latino and iAmerica indicates that equal pay is one of the priority issues concerning Latina voters. In a society where Latinas must work nearly 22 months to earn what white men earn in 12 months, recognizing Latina Equal Pay Day is necessary to foster change and create awareness of the issue.

“Latina workers are among the most oppressed workers in our nation, especially immigration women,” said Hector Sanchez, Chair of NHLA and Executive Director of the Labor Council for Latin American Advancement (LCLAA). “When Latinas face such oppression, the entire Latino community feels the impact of this wage theft and discrimination. It is unacceptable for employers to perpetuate the Latina equal pay gap and we are determined to work with our allies to close this gap."

Observers of Latina Equal Pay Day will also speak out on the issue via social media. A Twitter Town Hall and other events will be taking place in different parts of the country as well. The online conversation can be followed at #Trabajadoras, #LatinaEqualPay, and #LatinxEqualPay.

“Latinas bring a wide range of skills and talents to the workforce and must be compensated in an equal manner,” said Mónica Ramírez, Director of Gender Equity and Advocacy for NHLA. “Closing the Latina equal pay gap needs to be a priority across all industries and sectors. Latina Equal Pay Day is an integral part of building awareness around the issue and NHLA is proud to participate in this day of action. Beyond this one day, we will continue to lift up Latina workers and fight for gender equity.”

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ABOUT THE NATIONAL HISPANIC LEADERSHIP AGENDA

The National Hispanic Leadership Agenda is composed of 40 of the leading national and regional Latino civil rights and public policy organizations and other elected officials, and prominent Latinos Americans. NHLA coalition members represent the diversity of the Latino community – Mexican Americans, Puerto Ricans, Cubans, and other Latino Americans. NHLA’s mission calls for unity among Latinos around the country to provide the Latino community with greater visibility and a clearer, stronger influence in our country’s affairs. NHLA brings together Latino leaders to establish policy priorities that address, and raise public awareness of, the major issues affecting the Latino community and the nation as a whole. For more information, please visit: www.nationalhispanicleadership.org.

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