Press Release: Federal Government Should Put Working Families First
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Friday, March 13, 2020
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SUSANA FLORES
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FERNANDA DURAND
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Federal Government Should Put Working Families First
Poder Latinx Supports the Families First Coronavirus Act as the Most Comprehensive Set of Solutions for Working People
WASHINGTON – As the country grapples with the COVID -19 health crisis, Poder Latinx is focusing on the needs of Latinx working families who will be most deeply impacted by the economic disruptions caused by the Coronavirus by supporting the Families First Coronavirus Response Act.
The proposed legislation, which includes the Healthy Families Act, will allow workers to earn up to seven paid sick days every year, provides for an additional 14 days of paid sick time for workers affected by the COVID-19 outbreak or any future public health emergency, and cover days when a child’s school is closed due to a public health emergency when an employer is closed due to a public health emergency, or a worker or a family member is quarantined or isolated due to a public health emergency.
An estimated 32.5 million people in the U.S. lack access to single paid sick-day and only 19 percent of workers have access to longer-term paid leave through their employers.
“We believe these proactive measures to address the needs of working families, many of whom will not be able to work in restaurants and other service jobs during this crisis, are the most significant interventions the government can make at this time of crisis,” said Yadira Sanchez, Co-Executive Director at Poder Latinx. “I believe we have seen a lack of leadership from this administration in addressing the needs of working people and I am glad Congress is taking on this role when it is so desperately needed.”
“We have knocked on thousands of doors inspiring voters to join a movement that is making profound changes in the community. This presence in the field and our daily interactions with the community helps us to have a pulse on what is going on. As we encourage the community to participate in all aspects of civic life, we need to raise our voices to demand action from our government and equip our communities in moments of emergencies”, said Esteban Garces, Co-Executive Director. “The struggles the Latinx community is already going through day-to-day with the added economic disruptions caused by the Coronavirus can have lasting effects that policies like the Families First Coronavirus Response Act can help alleviate."
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Poder Latinx, mission is to build a political wave of voters where the Latinx community, immigrants, and people of color play a key role in the transformation of the country and become decision-makers in our democracy. Through innovative partnerships, issue-based organizing and leadership development, Poder Latinx is rapidly expanding the U.S electorate with new and low propensity Latinx voters. In its first six months, Poder Latinx registered 30,000 voters, building a foundation poised to create change starting with the Presidential elections in 2020.