2-4 IAN Hispanic Labor

 Report Details Idaho's Hispanic Labor Force and Economic Status

           The recent recession doubled the unemployment rate for Idaho's Hispanic workers to 15 percent in 2009 from 7 percent in 2007, according to a report prepared by the University of Idaho in partnership with the Idaho Commission on Hispanic Affairs.

 Idaho’s 63,000 Hispanic workers make up 9 percent of the state's civilian labor force, proportionately less than Hispanic workers' 14 percent share of the national civilian workforce, according to the report.  From 2000 to 2009, the number of employed Hispanic workers in Idaho grew by 47 percent, compared to 5 percent among non-Hispanic workers.

 This number was of interest to me because there are so many ag producers who utilize the Hispanic workforce and I wondered if the drop indicated a drop in ag production. I asked Priscilla Salant, University of Idaho outreach and engagement coordinator what her thoughts were: “One reasonable hypothesis is that it would be construction. It’s been curtailed so much. Labor let go in ag is another possibility although that’s less likely when you consider 1/3 of the slowdown is service, especially from tourism.”