[20200513]IN11386_危险津贴与2019冠状病毒疾病大流行：问题和选择.pdf

CRS INSIGHT Prepared for Members and Committees of Congress INSIGHTINSIGHTi i Hazard Pay and the COVID-19 Pandemic: Issues and Options Molly F. Sherlock Specialist in Public Finance David H. Bradley Specialist in Labor Economics May 13, 2020 A number of policymakers have expressed interest in providing essential workers at risk of exposure to COVID-19 with additional compensation, or hazard pay. The Health and Economic Recovery Omnibus Emergency Solutions (HEROES) Act (H.R. 6800), introduced on May 12, 2020, would create a fund for “pandemic premium pay” for essential workers. This Insight highlights some of the policy considerations should a hazard pay policy be pursued, as well as federal government options for supporting hazard pay. What is Hazard Pay? Hazard pay is a type of premium pay for individuals performing work that involves hazardous duty or physical hardship. Hazard pay may be provided to compensate workers for additional risks and to incentivize workers to work in jobs with potentially dangerous conditions. The Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), which is the main federal law that establishes wage and hour standards for most private and public sector employers (e.g., min