Health Care in not a Privilege is a Human Right for All!

Introduction

The Workers Health Project was officially launched on January, 2004. 4 years later the project has continue to address the health needs of mostly day laborers and household workers, as well as expand its reach to other worker populations, street vendors, adult students, youth, parents and children. In the first years we have built the foundation of a unique project which focused on developing a health curriculum, providing health workshops, and creating innovative materials that will benefit immigrant communities.

Our main population is day laborers and household workers whom face incredible challenges in the workplace. The lack of legal residence, technical, and language skills force many of them to accept any job they are offered, regardless of how dangerous it may be. The typical jobs they are hired to perform include construction, demolition, landscaping, moving, painting, housekeeping, and child care. Many negligent employers do not offer workers the most basic forms of protection, such as gloves, masks, or eye protection. As a result, workers must work with their bare hands, breathe dangerous fumes, and risk exposure to damaging agents such as lead and asbestos.

Since most employers hire these temporary workers outside the confines of payroll, the workers are not protected under worker’s compensation or disability insurance. Many who are injured at work refuse to see a doctor because they lack health insurance and are not aware of low-cost medical resources available to them. Others believe they have no rights because they lack legal residence or do not demand their workplace rights for fear of reprisal. A large number of them continue to work despite their injuries because they cannot afford to take time off.

Our main Goal: To promote healthier lifestyles and prevent risky behavior that can lead to poor health conditions among day laborers and household workers, reaching 25% of participants every month.

Operational Objectives

- Increase awareness of the workers health rights, health access, health and safety, advocacy, and alternative medicine, conducting 100 yearly health education workshops/presentations, with at least 10% of workers participating.

- Increase our ability to reach more Health Community Organizers to redevelop the curriculum, consolidate the Health Committees and reach at least 700 unduplicated workers in a year.

- Reinforce our referral system established with at least 2 clinics for job site to provide workers with referrals to resolve their health necessities.

Our actual health program components are: Health Education Awareness; Network; Health and Safety; and Alternative Health. Our work is being implemented through education (workshops, presentations and action), Visibility (active participation in local, regional and local networks), Health Fairs; and developing funding strategies. Furthermore, IDEPSCA’s practice of organizing and educating has effectively increase worker awareness of workplace safety, and many other health issues.

Our main purpose is to contribute in developing healthier environments among day laborer and household worker populations. Overall, to accomplish this goal we will continue serving six job centers mostly:

1. Hollywood,
2. Downtown,
3. West L. A.,
4. Cypress Park,
5. Harbor City and
6. Pasadena
7. We have also continued working within seven corners;
a. Four in Canoga Park (San Fernando Valley), and
b. Three in Chesterfield Square (Western/Slauson
in South Central).

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Contact Information

Project Coordinator: Marlom Portillo
(213) 252-2952, Ext. 12,

Community Organizers: Patricia Rizo and Angela Alvarez
(213) 252-2952, VM 24

Read our 2009 Health Program Report