English-Language Proficiency and Occupational Risk Among Hispanic Immigrant Men in the United States

Abstract

We use data from the Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries, the Survey of Occupational Injuries and Illnesses, and the 2000 U.S. decennial census to analyze how occupational risk relates to the earnings of Hispanic immigrant men. Our findings indicate that those with limited English-language fluency received significantly higher compensating wages in unsafe jobs than their English-fluent counterparts. The larger occupational-risk premiums accrued by limited-Englishproficient (LEP) foreign-born Hispanic men also hold when further including U.S.-born Hispanic, non-Hispanic Black, and non-Hispanic White men in the sample. These findings are consistent with underlying differences in preferences toward wages versus safety between LEP and English-proficient workers and ⁄ or differences in coverage under formal workers' compensation programs, perhaps because undocumented workers (many of whom already faced hazardous conditions when migrating illegally to work in the United States) comprise a disproportionate share of the LEP. However, our data and methodologies do not allow us to determine whether these premiums adequately compensate the LEP for the occupational risk they undertake.

Do Immigrants Work in Worse Jobs than U.S. Natives? Evidence from California

“…In this case, greater dissemination among immigrants of information about occupational risks and workplace safety standards may be warranted. However, the results are also consistent with Dávila, Mora, and González's () conclusion that limited‐English‐proficient Hispanic male immigrants earn larger risk premiums than other Hispanic immigrants or U.S. natives. If those workers earn greater compensation for taking risks or working in worse jobs than other workers, they may have a more favorable view of their working conditions than other workers.…”

Do immigrants improve the health of native workers?

“…Similar findings have been observed across advanced economies, including Canada, Germany, Italy, Spain, and the US [6], [7], [8], [9], [10], [11], [12].…”

“…Overall, these studies confirm a higher incidence of fatalities and injuries among immigrants, with a few exceptions finding non-significant differences between natives and immigrants in Finland and Sweden [11]. Similarly, evidence shows that immigrants are more likely than natives to work late and non-standard hours.…”

“…It is therefore crucial for policymakers to understand the degree of substitutability of immigrant and native workers and whether, and why, immigrants may be more likely to hold risky jobs. While several studies have documented differences in the distribution of natives, immigrants, and minorities across industry sectors and occupations, relatively few studies have analyzed differences in job disamenity, physical intensity, and occupational risk between natives and immigrants [8], [9], [10], [11], [12].…”

Immigration and the reallocation of work health risks

“…This will, in turn, encourage immigrants to self-select into more physically intensive/risky jobs. It is also possible that immigrants are simply more likely to underestimate occupational risk than natives (Dávila et al 2011). This could occur because of a lack of familiarity with the host country or because employers intentionally mislead immigrants about it.…”