Report criticizes North Carolina for lack of worker protections

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS) — Nearly two months after North Carolina was named the best state for business by CNBC, a new report ranks the Tar Heel State as the worst for workers.

Oxfam America, an anti-poverty organization, criticized North Carolina for failing to pass laws that support low-wage workers and working families. 

Oxfam ranked North Carolina 52 out of 52 (counting U.S. states, D.C., and Puerto Rico). The report gave the state low marks for its $7.25 minimum wage, lack of worker protections, and lack of rights to organize.

The group pointed out that on worker protections, North Carolina does not maintain child labor protections, nor does it require paid sick or family leave. On the right to organize, Oxfam was critical of the state’s right-to-work law, which prohibits any job from requiring union membership or payment of union dues.

While Governor Josh Stein’s office was unable to be reached on the Labor Day holiday, when the state earned the title of best for business in July, Stein acknowledged there were areas that needed improvement.

“We can do more to get housing costs low. People who work in a community should be able to live in that community…there are things the state can do to incentivize the private sector to build more housing units.”