LULAC CONDEMNS GOVERNOR DESANTIS' RECKLESS
ACTIONS ENDANGERING LATINO ESSENTIAL WORKERS
Nation's Oldest and Largest Latino Civil
Rights Organization Denounces State Ban Against Water and Shade Breaks
Despite Record-Setting Heat in 2023 and Forecast for This Year
Washington, DC -
The League of United Latin American Citizens vehemently condemns
Governor Ron DeSantis' recent actions, which pose a grave threat to the
health and safety of Latino essential workers in the state. Last
Thursday's signing of a bill banning local governments from mandating
heat and water breaks for outdoor workers directly endangers the lives
of thousands of workers, particularly in industries such as
construction and farming.
"National
LULAC strongly opposes the actions of Governor Ron DeSantis that
endanger the health and lives of our Latino essential workers who have
to toil in Florida's weather," says Domingo Garcia, LULAC National
President. "The state ranks third hottest in the United States and
recorded the highest temperatures ever in Florida this past July and
August. DeSantis is trading money for misery or worse that people will
suffer, and Floridians should decry this injustice," adds Garcia.
This bill was
enacted as a direct response to Miami-Dade County's initiative to
enforce shade and water breaks for construction, farm, and other
outdoor workers. With Miami-Dade estimating a workforce of over 325,000
individuals in these sectors alone, it is evident that such protections
are crucial for safeguarding the well-being of workers in Florida.
"We
will hold him accountable, as well as all those employers who force
workers to go nonstop during their shifts," says Lydia Medrano,
LULAC national vice president for the Southeast. "It is inhumane
to deny workers water and shade breaks when they must endure hotter
temperatures and Florida's high humidity. They are human beings too,
and their lives matter more than profit," adds Medrano.
However, with the
enactment of this bill, Florida's 66 other counties are now prohibited
from implementing similar protections for outdoor workers. This
decision directly undermines the safety and dignity of workers across
the state, prioritizing profit over human lives.
"This
is a crime against humanity, sentencing many of our most vulnerable and
essential workers to inhumane conditions, physical injuries, and
deaths," says Eliseo Santana Jr., Florida LULAC State Director.
"Government is supposed to protect people, not make it legal to
mistreat them," he adds.
Florida LULAC
urges Governor DeSantis to reconsider his stance and prioritize the
well-being of all Floridians, regardless of their occupation or
background. Furthermore, we call upon state lawmakers to repeal this
harmful legislation and enact policies prioritizing workers' health and
safety. In solidarity with Latino essential workers and all workers
across Florida, we stand firm in our commitment to fight against unjust
policies that endanger lives and perpetuate exploitation.
# # #
About
LULAC
The League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) is the nation’s
largest and oldest Hispanic civil rights volunteer-based organization
that empowers Hispanic Americans and builds strong Latino communities.
Headquartered in Washington, DC, with 535 Councils and 145,000 members
across the United States and Puerto Rico, LULAC’s programs, services,
and advocacy address the most important issues for Latinos, meeting the
critical needs of today and the future. For more information, visit www.LULAC.org.
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