Lourdes Santiago Miranda

This State Plan for the PRDOLHR SCSEP program addresses the demographic challenges in Puerto Rico, including population decline and an aging populace, exacerbated by natural disasters. It outlines the equitable distribution of services to older, low-income, and vulnerable individuals across 18 municipalities, focusing on those with limited English proficiency and lower educational attainment. The plan details strategies for managing program positions and addressing slot imbalances to ensure accessible employment and training opportunities under Title V of the Older Americans Act, tailored to Puerto Rico's specific socioeconomic and demographic context.

This State Plan outlines the strategic approach of the Puerto Rico Department of Labor and Human Resources (PRDOLHR) SCSEP Program for Program Year 2020-2023. It addresses Puerto Rico's significant economic contraction and demographic shifts, including an aging population, high outmigration, and evolving labor market conditions exacerbated by natural disasters. The plan emphasizes promoting lifelong learning and skill enhancement for older adults through the SCSEP Program, adapting industries to older age requirements, and providing formal training and certification in high-demand occupations such as home health care and various service and office skills. It details economic projections, labor force participation rates, and growth sectors to equip older adults for success in the changing labor market.

This Stand-Alone State Plan for the Puerto Rico Department of Labor and Human Resources Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP) outlines its strategy for coordinated service delivery to older adults. The plan focuses on enhancing participants' employability through skill upgrading and active pursuit of unsubsidized employment, fostering collaborations with various public and private entities to maximize resources and avoid duplication of efforts. Key areas include leveraging WIOA one-stop services, partnering with organizations serving the elderly (e.g., OPPEA, Department of Family Affairs, Department of Health), engaging employers, and ensuring participant health and safety, while addressing the needs of diverse populations. The overarching aim is to provide comprehensive support and opportunities for older adults in Puerto Rico.

This 2024 report, prepared for the Puerto Rico Department of Labor & Human Resources by Women Who Lead, addresses the persistent gender pay gap in Puerto Rico. It identifies key factors contributing to the disparity, including occupational segregation, career interruptions, cultural norms, and insufficient enforcement of existing legislation, while highlighting a significant perception gap between employers and employees regarding pay equity. The report provides strategic recommendations for government, private sector, media, and academia to foster accountability, transparency, and cultural change to achieve gender pay equity.

This final report, commissioned by the Minimum Wage Committee of Puerto Rico, analyzes the impact of potential minimum wage adjustments as mandated by Act 47-2021. The report addresses challenges like migration, declining population, and increasing cost of living, examining effects across traditional employment, agriculture, tipped workers, and exempt employees. Utilizing microsimulations and administrative data, it evaluates the impacts of increases to $10.00 and $10.50 per hour, noting that recent positive economic trends were influenced by federal funds. The report balances worker welfare with economic realities and recommends a careful, potentially phased, approach for future adjustments to foster stability.