Immigrant Workers at Risk: Report by the AFL-CIO

Immigrant Workers at Risk: The Urgent Need for Improved Workplace Safety and Health Policies and Programs

This report, published in 2005 by the AFL-CIO, examines the factors that contribute to the alarming rates of injury and death on the job among immigrants and discusses the detrimental economic effects of such workplace injuries and death across society.

Among the report's key findings:

• Although the share of foreign-born employment increased by 22 percent between 1996 and 2000, the share of fatal occupational injuries for this
  population increased by 43 percent.
• Fatal work injuries in six states accounted for 64 percent of all fatalities for foreign-born workers between 1996 and 2001: California, Florida,
  Illinois, New Jersey, New York and Texas.
• Nearly one in four fatally injured foreign-born workers was employed in the construction industry.
• Less than one-third of the costs of occupational illnesses and injuries are paid for by employer-funded workers' compensation with taxpayers picking up nearly 20 percent of the tab through Medicaid and Medicare. Injured workers and their families pay the largest share.

 

To view the full report, click here.