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2 clusters · 4 sources · 8 days · First seen · Last updated

Oxfam 2026 U.S. labor policy rankings

Overview

Oxfam America released its 2026 report evaluating U.S. states based on wages, worker protections, and the right to organize. The index identifies California, the District of Columbia, New York, Illinois, and Oregon as top-performing jurisdictions due to higher minimum wages and protections against wage theft.

Conversely, North Carolina, Alabama, Mississippi, Tennessee, and South Carolina were identified as the lowest-ranking states. In North Carolina, the minimum wage of $7.25 has remained unchanged since 2009 and reportedly meets only 19% of the cost of living for a family of four. The report also notes that recent legislative changes, such as the 2025 ‘One Big Beautiful Bill’, have reduced resources for lower-income classes by cutting SNAP and Medicaid benefits.

Entities

Zety · California · Oxfam · United States · Oxfam America

Timeline

  1. 3 days ago

    [BUSINESS] 2 sources
    Oxfam report ranks best and worst U.S. states for working families

    Oxfam's 2026 report ranks U.S. states for working families, naming California as the top state for wages and worker protections, while South Carolina and Tennessee rank among the lowest.

  2. 11 days ago

    [BUSINESS] 2 sources
    North Carolina ranks last in 2026 Best States to Work Index

    North Carolina ranked last in Oxfam America’s 2026 Best States to Work Index, cited for low minimum wages and insufficient worker protections compared to top-ranked states like California.

Sources

caro.news · mombloggersforsocialgood.com · nypost.com · politicsofpoverty.oxfamamerica.org