Illegal immigrant numbers plunge, By Teresa Watanabe, February 11, 2010, Los Angeles Times: “A new report that the nation’s illegal immigrant population has declined by nearly 1 million has sharpened the debate over whether to legalize those remaining or allow their numbers to shrink through attrition. The number of illegal immigrants living in the United States dropped to 10.8 million in 2009 from 11.6 million in 2008, marking the second consecutive year of decline and the sharpest decrease in at least three decades, according to a report this week by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security…”
Day: February 12, 2010
Income and Health Inequalities – Britain
- Poorest in England ‘live seven years less on average’, By Jane Dreaper, February 11, 2010, BBC News: “People in England’s poorest areas live an average of seven years less than those in the richest ones, says a major report on health inequalities. Epidemiologist Sir Michael Marmot, says the NHS must spend much more on preventing illness. And he calls for an increase in the minimum wage to allow everyone to have a healthy lifestyle. Health Secretary Andy Burnham has welcomed the government-commissioned report and said more work was needed. The Marmot Review shows that although life expectancy has risen in poor and rich areas, inequalities persist…”
- Well-off people ‘live seven years longer than those in poorer groups’, By Kate Devlin, February 11, 2010, The Telegraph: “Ministers must act to reduce the gulf between rich and poor, the review, commissioned by the Department of Health, says. Targets to raise life expectancy should be set across each different social class, and updated every 10 years, it recommends. It also suggests parents should be able to share a year of paid leave after having a child, at a level high enough to sustain a healthy life. Action is needed to improve the health of all, according to the report by Prof Sir Michael Marmot, from University College London, but particular attention should be paid to those on the bottom rungs of the social ladder…”
Paid Sick Leave – Iowa
- Bill would require sick leave for most employees in Iowa, By Jennifer Jacobs, February 9, 2010, Des Moines Register: “All Iowa employees who work at least 20 hours a week would get paid when they are home sick, under a bill before the Legislature. Business owners and industry groups immediately expressed worries about how much that would cost. But Sen. Tom Courtney, who proposed the bill, said he thinks businesses could save money in the long run with greater employee retention and better productivity among healthy workers. ‘On the surface, this looks like this is going to be expensive for business,’ said Courtney, D-Burlington. ‘I think we need to get them over that feeling and help them realize this would be good for them. All the studies point to the facts that workers who have some sick leave are better workers, and that’s better for everyone.’ Democratic lawmakers said Monday the proposal likely will not go anywhere unless employers have a voice in crafting it. The bill is in the very earliest stages in the Legislature. A subcommittee considered the bill on Monday; the same group of senators will meet on the topic again Wednesday. As of last year, about 33 percent of full-time Iowa employees did not have paid sick days or flexible paid time off that can be used during an illness, state work force agency records show…”
- Businesses should provide sick leave, Editorial, February 11, 2010, Des Moines Register: “Last year, one-third of Iowans who worked full time did not have paid sick days or flexible paid time off to use when they were ill. More than 80 percent of part-time workers were not offered such time off, according to a survey by Iowa Workforce Development. Low-wage workers are less likely to have paid sick time – and more likely to work directly with the public in businesses such as restaurants and child-care centers. If they can’t afford to lose a day’s pay, they may have no choice but to go to work and potentially spread the bug. So it’s understandable lawmakers would want to help working Iowans on this issue. Senate Study Bill 3176 would provide those who work 20 or more hours a week the right to accrue up to 144 hours of paid sick time each calendar year. Workers could start using days off on the 60th day of employment…”