Pasadena-based Day Laborer Network Launches Statewide Census Initiative

The National Day Laborer Organizing Network (NDLON) has started a comprehensive project to conduct a census and needs assessment of day laborers across California.

NDLON, headquartered on Arroyo Parkway in Pasadena, advocates for day laborers, migrants, and low-wage workers nationwide. Founded in 2001, NDLON has grown from 12 to 36 member organizations. NDLON focuses on protecting workers’ rights, creating labor centers, and promoting immigration reform. Since its inception, the organization has significantly influenced national labor and immigration debates.

The new initiative, in collaboration with Nik Theodore from the University of Illinois Chicago, seeks to update understanding of day laborers’ vulnerabilities.

The California Day Labor Census will focus on identifying locations where day laborers find work in 2024, gathering critical insights to inform decision-making. This data-driven approach is expected to guide resource allocation for community development efforts and provide life-saving resources to day laborers.

“Collecting data is not just about numbers; it’s about understanding our community’s needs, dreams and aspirations,” said Loyda Alvarado, DALE (Deferred Action for Labor Enforcement) Campaign Director at the NDLON.

The Pasadena Community Job Center, at 500 N. Lake Ave., said it’s proud to be participating in this initiative.

The census project aims to engage the community by training census takers and collaborating with local organizations. It also seeks to promote active engagement with stakeholders, contributing to a sense of community support and advocacy for day laborers’ rights.

The NDLON, now headquartered in Pasadena, was founded in July 2001 in Northridge during the first national gathering of day laborer organizations. Initially an alliance of 12 community-based organizations, the network has grown into a nationwide organization supported by a growing staff committed to social justice.

The organization’s mission is to improve the lives of day laborers, migrants, and low-wage workers by building leadership and power, and to challenge inequality and expand labor, civil, and political rights for all facing injustice.

“We believe that every voice matters, and this initiative is an opportunity for our community to engage in the planning process,” Alvarado said.

The California Day Labor Census represents a significant step in understanding and addressing the challenges faced by day laborers.

In 2004, the National Day Labor Survey estimated California’s day labor population at about 40,000, which is roughly one-third of the national total of 120,000. ^[a]This proportion aligns with California’s share of the U.S. immigrant population.

However, day laborers make up less than 1% of California’s total workforce of 17.4 million around 2004. About 80% of day laborers reported being undocumented, suggesting around 32,000 undocumented day laborers in the surveyed California cities.