NYC’s Manicurists Treated Like Slaves

A lengthy New York Times investigation into nail salons found widespread mistreatment of workers, including extremely low wages that keep them living in slave-like conditions. Many of the workers—who mostly don’t speak English—must first pay for a job and spend several weeks working without wages. Even once employers start paying, it is not uncommon for employees to make less than $30 a day. The investigation also found a racial hierarchy, with New York salons—which are mostly owned by Koreans—discriminate against Hispanics because they “don’t want to learn more,” according to owners.