In a normal year, federal income taxes are due today (April 15th), but this is definitely not a normal year, and an extension is in effect through July 15th. Here’s a quick rundown of key developments for workers in the coronavirus crisis.
Some key things to know
The federal government has begun sending stimulus money ($1,200 for most workers) to people who are already set up on direct deposit with the IRS. The IRS has also set up a new portal where non-filers can enter payment info, and anyone can update their info if necessary. Note: while most workers will receive a payment, the federal government has excluded undocumented immigrants from receiving stimulus checks.
Expanded and enhanced unemployment benefits provided by the federal stimulus are set to go online in Washington state on April 18th. Workers receiving unemployment will get an extra $600 per week on top of their normal benefits, and some gig workers, independent contractors, and others who may not qualify for standard unemployment will newly be able to receive benefits as well. We will have additional details in our online resource guide.
We are holding weekly Know Your Rights trainings: Wednesdays at 7pm in Spanish (hosted jointly with Casa Latina & Entre Hermanos), and Thursdays at 6pm in English. Email coronavirusinfo@workingwa.org for more info or to sign up.
Governor Inslee issued an order Monday intended to protect the health of older workers and those with underlying medical conditions. Employers are now required to do what they can to accommodate high-risk employees so they can work from home. If accommodation isn't feasible, employers must allow high-risk employees to use any accrued leave or to collect unemployment, and they must preserve employees’ health care coverage even if they can't work. Details on how this will be enforced aren’t clear just yet, but these are all good steps to protect workers’ health and safety.
Amazon, Instacart, and other online delivery companies have recently announced huge hiring spikes at a time when many other companies are laying people off. But many of these new essential jobs are not providing essential protections like hazard pay, comprehensive sick leave, safety supplies, and income support.
One thing you can do
Join us to call out #HapHazardPay in the coronavirus crisis — take a selfie holding a paper that shows your job, the number of people you encountered today (within 6 feet) & how much you get paid — and post it on Twitter, Instagram, or Facebook with the hashtag #HapHazardPay.
Many workers facing the highest risk are getting paid the least — whether you're working from home or out in public, your selfie can help draw attention to this huge inequality.
Key reads
A new report finds that more than half of people younger than 45 have lost a job, been put on leave, or had their hours reduced due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Farmworkers are speaking out about unsafe working conditions that could make rural Washington a coronavirus hotspot, including a lack of social distancing and no access to running water. Meanwhile, the federal government is seeking to lower the pay of immigrant agricultural workers.
Washington state could face food bank shortages this month, due in large part to extraordinarily high demand due to the economic crisis. Among other factors, many restaurants which had previously donated unused ingredients to food banks are no longer doing business, eliminating that supply.
Pierce County gig worker Ashley Johnson wrote in Cosmopolitan magazine about her experiences delivering groceries during the crisis, and why she’s on strike against Instacart for hazard pay, safety supplies, and sick leave.
Undocumented workers are excluded from most of the government support which has been provided in response to the crisis. One result: many people who should be allowed to collect unemployment are instead finding work in “essential” jobs in warehouses, delivery, and grocery stores, concentrating health risk in immigrant communities. We're continuing to call on the government to step up and provide assistance for all workers.
Questions? Comments?
Send them our way: coronavirusinfo@workingwa.org