Critical Infrastructure Workers Remain Key to Ohio’s Health and Economic Recovery
Essential in Ohio




Executive Summary
Ohio’s essential workers have always been indispensable. COVID-19 showed us just how much so when – as others sheltered at home – the Ohioans working in health care, child care, the food supply chain and other critical needs kept showing up to work. They cared for the sick and the children of other essential workers; kept the utilities on and the groceries stocked; and performed the countless tasks on which we all depend. In doing so, they took on great risk to themselves and their families.
Policymakers failed frontline workers with inadequate protections and too little pay. At the median, essential jobs in Ohio pay less than nonessential jobs. Ohio never mandated state wide hazard pay, as six other states have. Ohio lawmakers made no provisions to provide paid sick time to the first responders and Ohioans at large employers excluded from federal mandates, Ohio essential workers deserve better.