Things You Can Do to Improve the Latina Pay Gap

This year for Latina Equal Pay, we talked to Monica Ramirez, the Founder and President of Justice For Migrant Women, about the gap that Latina workers – especially part-time and seasonal ones – still face. Coming from a migrant family herself, Monica has been doing this work since she was 14 years old, and she is familiar with the struggles migrant workers endure. As such, the mission of Justice for Migrant Women is to educate lawmakers as well as other US and global officials about some of the issues that prevent migrant women from reaching their full potential. Let’s start with the facts.

Latinas are paid 54 cents for every dollar made by white, non-Hispanic men.

And the gap is even wider with seasonal and part-time workers at 46 cents for every dollar.

Fortunately, there are some things we, as a community, can start doing to change that:

1. We need to change the culture of pay secrecy. We’re told from a very early age not to ask our friends, co-workers, or family how much they are making. And employers can take advantage of that, because that leaves us with no real reference and without the ability to determine if we are underpaid or not.
2. Vote for legislators who have expressed concern about the pay gap, and call them out if they don’t stick to their promises.
3. Vote with your dollars and be a conscious consumer. Where are we buying produce from? When going to the market, instead of buying what is cheaper, support organizations that are fighting for the rights of people and the environment.
4. Change the narrative that immigrants are taking jobs and benefits. That is a false and harmful belief!

Latinas are the largest minority in the country – so let’s give back to our community!