Essential Services for Essential Workers in the Pandemic
By Mark Hedin, Ethnic Media Services
Published December 24, 2020
Michael Nobleza, Executive Fellow, FUSE Corps, LA County Office of Immigrant Affairs; Monica Nguyen, Program Director, GAIN, LA County Department of Public Social Services; Rose Basmadzhyan, Chief, Wage Enforcement Program & Investigation Division, LA County Department of Consumer & Business Affairs; Yvonne Medrano, Program Attorney, Employee Rights Program, Bet Tzedek Legal Services (Courtesy photo)
In a time of COVID-necessitated lockdowns, if you’re working, you’re essential. In Los Angeles County, no one should allow an employer to rob them of their wages or force them to work in unsafe conditions. But immigrant workers, both documented and not, are particularly vulnerable to such exploitations.