The hero’s pay measure would require large supermarket chains and drug retailers to provide front-line workers in unincorporated areas of Los Angeles with an extra $ 5 an hour.
The council voted 4-0 to request the drafting of the hero payment decree-law, with final approval possible as early as January 26. If approved, the hero payment decree-law would remain in effect for 120 days.
The measure applies to publicly traded employers or with at least 300 employees across the country and more than 10 employees per store.
Although the measure applies to unincorporated areas of the county – about 1 million residents out of a population of 10 million – the council asked the county council to research whether it could also be applied to the rest of the county.
“The COVID-19 pandemic made clear the importance of industries considered essential, including food and medicine retail employees,” said supervisor Hilda Solis, co-author of the motion. “Since the beginning of the pandemic, these workers have continued to appear in their jobs, despite the dangers of exposure to COVID-19.”
The council also offered new help to tenants, extending and expanding a rental relief program and extending a moratorium on evictions.
The income reduction measure was extended for an entire year, until the end of 2021.
Supervisor Janice Hahn says hundreds of thousands of county residents are struggling to pay rent.
Officials say some tenants are even borrowing from predatory lenders or using credit cards to pay their owners.
The program, which depends on federal funding, will also increase available assistance from $ 7,500 to $ 10,000 for eligible families that make up up to 50% of the average median income.
Supervisors also approved a measure to extend the eviction moratorium until the end of February.
Renters seeking help can call a city councilor at (833) 223-7368.
The city’s news service contributed to this report.
Copyright © 2021 KABC-TV. All rights reserved.