People's Action Institute reports [commondreams.org] via Common Dreams
People's Action Institute released a report [February 28] that details the dire need for jobs that pay a living wage, and for public investment in communities that are most neglected.
The report, Prosperity, Not Poverty [peoplesaction.org],[PDF][1] shows the gap between job seekers and jobs that pay a living wage. According to the report, nationally there are seven job seekers for every job opening that pays the national single adult living wage of $17.28 per hour.
[...]The odds are much worse for a single parent hoping to be paid enough to support herself and a child. Prosperity, Not Poverty includes living wage figures and job gap ratios for each state and Washington, D.C., as well as the national number.
[...] - Policy Recommendations from Prosperity, Not Poverty:
If done well, public infrastructure programs and investments will benefit all, and especially marginalized communities and the places they live.
- Create high wage jobs and target hiring and training in local communities, especially marginalized communities. Wages from full-time work should be at least enough for a single adult to make ends meet.
- Increase access to affordable health coverage. Low-wage workers are less likely to have access to employer-sponsored health care than higher-wage workers.
- Strengthen Social Security so all workers can retire with dignity.
- Expand and strengthen equal opportunity statutes to apply to the LGBTQI community as well as women and people of color.
[1] I have replaced the goofy link in TFA with a direct link. Google cache [googleusercontent.com] of the 40-page report.