While most of the news has focused on the plight of mostly middle-class class workers affected by corporate bankruptcies, hiring freezes, job losses and foreclosure, those in the working-class are being hit even harder by the downturn. One of the industries devastated by job losses and cutbacks has been the service industry, especially those related to travel.
Many busboys, waiters, dishwashers, housekeepers, doormen and customer service agents have suffered job losses or are facing huge pay cuts. In some cases some workers suffer job losses, only to be hired back as independent contractors without healthcare or any other benefits and sometimes significantly lower wages.
According to the Bureau of Labor statistics, many of these workers are making less than $10 per hour with no benefits and little chance for advancement. Not only that, but while the national unemployment rate is 8.8 percent, unemployment in some service industry jobs stands at 11.8 percent. Job losses haven’t been this brutal on service industry workers in years.
Unfortunately, many service industry workers facing job losses end up falling behind on their debt payments, facing wage garnishments and bank seizures. What many of these workers don’t understand is that bankruptcy can also work for them even if they don’t have assets such as a house or car.
Your future income IS your asset. When a creditor wins a judgment and the right to garnish wages or seize bank accounts, even if you don’t have job now, your future income is in jeopardy. If you’ve faced a job loss and are unable to pay your debts, speak with a bankruptcy attorney to find out how you can protect your future income from creditors’ collection actions.