When Labor Enforcement and Immigration Enforcement Collide: Deterring Worker Complaints Worsens Workplace Safety

Amanda M. Grittner and Matthew S. Johnson
Additional contact information
Amanda M. Grittner: Abt Associates
Matthew S. Johnson: Duke University

No 21-353, Upjohn Working Papers from W.E. Upjohn Institute for Employment Research

Abstract: 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.

Keywords: labor regulations; workplace safety; immigration enforcement (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I18 J28 J81 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021-10
New Economics Papers: this item is included in nep-hea, nep-lab and nep-mig
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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