When labor enforcement and immigration enforcement collide: Deterring worker complaints worsens workplace safety

Arbeitspapier

Regulatory agencies overseeing the labor market often rely on worker complaints to direct their enforcement. However, if workers face differential barriers to complain, this system could result in ineffective targeting and create disparities in working conditions. To investigate these implications, we examine how the onset of Secure Communities - a localized immigration enforcement program - affected occupational safety and health. Counties' participation in Secure Communities substantially reduced complaints to government safety regulators, but increased injuries, at workplaces with Hispanic workers. We show that these effects are most consistent with employers reducing safety inputs in response to workers' decreased willingness to complain.

Object Details

• Language: Englisch

References and Relationships

• Bibliographic citation: Series: Upjohn Institute Working Paper ; No. 21-353

Classification and Topics

• Classification: Wirtschaft ; Safety; Job Satisfaction; Related Public Policy ; Labor Standards: Working Conditions ; Health: Government Policy; Regulation; Public Health
• Subject: labor regulations ; workplace safety ; immigration enforcement

Contributors, Places and Time

• Event: Geistige Schöpfung
• (who): Grittner, Amanda Melina ; Johnson, Matthew S.
• Event: Veröffentlichung
• (who): W.E. Upjohn Institute for Employment Research
• (where): Kalamazoo, MI
• (when): 2021

Further information

• DOI: doi:10.17848/wp21-353
• Handle: http://hdl.handle.net/10419/262381
• Last update: 10.03.2025, 11:42 AM CET