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If you’re reading this and wondering how a paycheck could be as low as $20.64—allow me to introduce you to the loophole in federal wage & hour law that allows employers to pay disabled workers like Leilani Jordan pennies an hour for their labor. https://twitter.com/kashanacauley/status/1249539804728979457
That’s right: a long-standing loophole in minimum wage law means disabled workers can legally be paid less than full minimum wage—just because they are disabled.
But this can’t be that common... right?
Wrong.
~400,000 people with disabilities have been paid an average of $2.15 AN HOUR in recent years, under this nefarious loophole.
Wrong.
~400,000 people with disabilities have been paid an average of $2.15 AN HOUR in recent years, under this nefarious loophole.
The sub-minimum wage for people with disabilities doesn’t just devalue disabled people and their labor—it also leads to exploitation and worse in what are often called “sheltered workshops.”
Highly recommend the short documentary “Bottom Dollar” by @RootedInRights for folks who want to learn more—and to hear from disabled folks who have been paid subminimum wage.
Trailer:
Full doc: https://rootedinrights.org/bottom-dollars/
Trailer:
Full doc: https://rootedinrights.org/bottom-dollars/
What’s the fix?
The Raise the Wage Act, which would raise the federal minimum wage to $15/hour by 2024, would also eliminate the arcane and discriminatory subminimum wage for people with disabilities.
@rwest817 explains it all here: https://talkpoverty.org/2019/06/19/everyone-overlooking-key-part-new-15-minimum-wage-bill/
The Raise the Wage Act, which would raise the federal minimum wage to $15/hour by 2024, would also eliminate the arcane and discriminatory subminimum wage for people with disabilities.
@rwest817 explains it all here: https://talkpoverty.org/2019/06/19/everyone-overlooking-key-part-new-15-minimum-wage-bill/
