Essential Workers Deserve an Increase in Pay

During times of crisis such as the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the role of essential workers has taken on new levels of importance. Without these heroes, our society would be in dire straits. Regardless of the current economic climate, it is imperative that we acknowledge and compensate them sufficiently. This article explores why an increase in pay for essential workers is not just a moral imperative but also a practical necessity.

Introduction: Essential Workers in the Current Pandemic

As the world continues to navigate the challenges presented by the global pandemic, our healthcare workers have demonstrated remarkable courage, dedication, and selflessness. Doctors, nurses, and hospital staff have faced unprecedented risks to ensure that we remain safe and healthy. The services they provide are critical, and their efforts cannot be overstated.

Recognition and Compensation for Healthcare Workers

It is laudable to envision a future where these exemplary professionals are honored. A parade, a national holiday, forgiveness of student debt, and tax-exempt status are just a few ways to express our gratitude. However, even these measures might fall short of truly compensating for the sacrifices they have made.

Recognition for Other Essential Workers

While healthcare workers have rightly received significant attention, other essential workers have also played a crucial role in our daily lives. Grocery store workers, overnight stockers, cashiers, delivery drivers, and countless others in the supply chain and service sectors have ensured that we have access to the basic necessities of life, including food, water, utilities, and hygiene supplies.

These individuals have often faced risks to their health and well-being to maintain our societal functions. Their contributions should not go unnoticed, and they deserve equal levels of recognition and compensation.

Economic Necessity and Justice for Essential Workers

The belief that essential workers were “lucky to still have a job” during the pandemic overlooks the significant risks they took to continue working. Many faced the prospect of life-long health issues, financial ruin, or even death due to their “essential” status.

Additionally, there was a perception that lower-income essential employees were “disposable,” easily replaceable and thus less valuable. This view is both insensitive and incorrect, as these individuals are vital to the functioning of society.

Financial Impact and Public Assistance

For essential workers, the risk of financial ruin was real. Many faced the prospect of losing public assistance, which they depended on to make ends meet. Temporary increases in income, such as hazard pay, often failed to cover the gaps in public assistance. As a result, these workers were risking their health and lives for wages that were insufficient to cover basic needs.

The disparity between a small increase in pay and the public assistance they needed highlights the urgent need for more substantial compensation for essential workers. While some businesses, such as Amazon and Walmart, were profiting, not all essential businesses were. Therefore, a targeted compensation plan is necessary to address the specific needs of lower-income essential employees who have continued to work throughout the pandemic.

Conclusion: A Call for Fairness and Acknowledgment

The rights and needs of essential workers must be at the forefront of our collective consciousness. Enhancing their pay is not merely a matter of goodwill; it is a matter of justice and humanity. As our society recovers from the pandemic, it is crucial that we ensure these unsung heroes receive the compensation they deserve, recognizing the critical role they play in our lives.

Key Points Reiterated:

Recognition of healthcare workers' sacrifices Emphasis on the contributions of grocery store workers, overnight stockers, cashiers, and delivery drivers Addressing the economic challenges faced by essential workers Call for fair compensation and acknowledgment of essential workers' roles

By taking proactive steps to ensure that essential workers are adequately compensated, we can build a more resilient and compassionate society.