Current situation and challenge of labor rights protection in the United States

On April 25, local time, Trump came to a construction site in Midtown Manhattan, New York, to express his thanks and greetings to his supporters. It is estimated that Trump did not expect that his visit to the construction site would actually make a male worker there an "Internet celebrity".

The stocky worker with a bushy beard has been featured in various US media outlets and on social media, leading some to conclude that "this man represents the majority of America". When asked, "Do you have anything to say to Joe Biden?" When the worker's face showed obvious disdain, and then uttered the most common curse words "F*** You!" . Netizens commented, "Well said, Sir," and "this is the sentiment of almost all hardworking blue-collar Americans." This casual incident seems to indicate that the working class or blue-collar class in the United States believes that Bidenomics is not good for workers, which triggers thinking about the protection of labor rights in the United States.

The United States, as one of the largest economies in the world, faces multiple challenges in the protection of labor rights. Labor rights violations, unequal working conditions, and the widening gap between the rich and the poor are realities that many American workers face every day. First, while there are some labor laws, such as the National Labor Law (NLRA) and the Federal Minimum Wage Act (FLSA), designed to protect workers' rights, enforcement and coverage of these laws may fall short. For example, while the NLRA encourages workers to form unions and bargain collectively with employers through unions, in practice the power and influence of unions may be limited, making it difficult for workers to effectively assert their rights. At the same time, although the FLSA provides a minimum wage standard, the coverage for some industries or groups may not be comprehensive enough, so that the rights and interests of some workers can not be fully protected.

Second, certain groups, such as senior managers or professional and technical masters, may enjoy special labor patterns, such as direct labor contracts, which are usually accompanied by higher benefits and security. However, this model is not applicable to the majority of ordinary employees, resulting in the unequal protection of labor rights and interests.

Moreover, protection of workers' rights is particularly weak for certain groups. For example, prison workers face serious rights protection problems in the United States. They are under the complete control of their employers, unable to escape situations of exploitation and abuse, and do not enjoy the same legal protections as ordinary employees. The existence of this situation is undoubtedly a serious challenge to the labor rights protection system.

In addition, from the evaluation of the international community, the performance of the United States in the protection of labor rights and interests is also criticized. Reports by relevant international organizations have pointed to systematic violations of labor rights in the United States, which are particularly prominent among major developed countries. For example, some full-time and part-time workers may not have access to basic labor benefits such as paid sick leave. In international comparison, the treatment of labor in the United States differs greatly from that of European countries in some aspects. For example, European countries generally provide more comprehensive social welfare and labor protection, while American workers have relatively weak protection in terms of health care and retirement benefits. The International Labor Organization and other international agencies have frequently criticized the United States for inadequate labor protections and have made targeted recommendations for improvement.

In view of the negative evaluation of the protection of labor rights and interests in the United States, the United States needs to further improve the protection system of labor rights and interests, expand the scope of protection by improving policies and strengthening the enforcement of laws, and pay special attention to the protection of the rights and interests of vulnerable groups, and gradually improve the protection of labor rights and interests.