For Immigrant and Essential Workers, New Executive Order Paves Way for Justice in the Workplace

WASHINGTON – On Thursday evening, President Biden signed an executive order to prioritize the health and safety of workers. The order, “Protecting Worker Health and Safety,” directs the Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA) to implement and enforce safety standards to protect workers from COVID-19 exposure. The following statement is from Julia Solórzano, a staff attorney with the SPLC Action Fund.

“Essential workers in healthcare and food production, who are disproportionately Black and Brown and immigrant, have been among the most endangered during the pandemic. These workers often work in crowded workspaces, have little or no access to paid leave, and have worse health outcomes overall, even as they work to keep the rest of the country healthy and fed. It’s past time we work to undo this injustice, and yesterday’s executive order provides overdue relief for workers on the front lines. This is an encouraging step in the right direction, but it’s only the beginning. 

“Going forward, the Biden-Harris administration will be charged with restoring and strengthening protections for low-wage and immigrant workers. The Labor Department must prioritize the safety of the poultry workers, agricultural workers, and other essential workers who form the backbone of this country. To keep workers safe from COVID-19, OSHA should rise to the administration’s call and swiftly implement an emergency temporary standard to protect workers.

“The last four years of attacks on workers’ protections and power in the workplace require the administration to work with the Labor Department to boldly address the long-standing racial and gender equity gaps in the workforce that the pandemic has laid bare. With bold action, we can usher in an era of equity and dignity for all workers.”