Supporting Workers Is More Important Than Ever In These Times, Part 2

by Dr. Arcelita Imasa

In our last column, we discussed how many people living in Hawaii come from low-income households.

Low-income workers could very well be your family members, relatives, friends, or neighbors.

We also highlighted the challenges they face, such as having to work multiple jobs just to make ends meet.

The high cost of living in Hawaii forces many low-income workers into difficult situations—when nearly half of a family’s income goes toward housing, many workers are left with no choice but to forgo medical appointments.

Additionally, ongoing threats to many of our immigrant workers—who are essential to Hawaii’s economy—place an even greater burden on our communities.

However, one source of hope for low-income workers is the growing solidarity shown toward them.

Solidarity is the unity and mutual support among individuals or groups, often grounded in a shared goal or purpose. It involves recognizing others’ struggles, empathizing with their challenges, and taking action to support their well-being.

True solidarity transcends self-interest, fostering a sense of collective responsibility and interconnectedness.

In the context of workers’ rights, solidarity means understanding the struggles of low-income workers, advocating for their rights, and actively working to improve their living and working conditions.

How Can We Show Solidarity for Low-Income Workers?
Solidarity begins with acknowledging that low-income workers are not just contributors to the economy but individuals with dreams, families, and basic needs. It requires rejecting systems that dehumanize or marginalize them.

Beyond personal actions, solidarity calls for pushing policies and practices that ensure fair wages, safe working conditions, access to healthcare, affordable housing, quality education, and other fundamental rights and social services.

For those of us in positions of privilege, solidarity means leveraging our influence to highlight the struggles of low-income workers, sharing their stories, and demanding change on their behalf.

It can take many forms, such as supporting businesses and organizations that treat their workers fairly and ensuring that low-income workers are not exploited.

We have demonstrated solidarity in tangible ways, such as supporting Max’s Restaurant workers who were victims of wage theft (see our July 12, 2024, column) and exposing the housing issues faced by our COFA brothers and sisters (see our Nov. 5, 2023, column).

The Hawaii Workers Center remains committed to organizing workers and amplifying their voices. Last month, we stood in solidarity with Queen’s nurses, delivering a letter to Queen’s management urging them to negotiate in good faith and help avert a strike.

Join the Solidarity Force
Fighting for the rights of low-income workers is a direct way to act in solidarity and contribute to a more just and equitable world.

We seek partners—both individuals and organizations—to join us in this work.

Find us at bit.ly/hwcsolidarity to be added to the contact list for the Solidarity Force.

In solidarity,

Hawaii Workers Center