The Price of Nice Nails

I have to think that the solution to oppression resulting from the demand for cheap manicures is not a continued demand for cheap manicures. Perhaps if women decided that the women who provide this service should be treated more fairly, manicures would cost  more than $12, and businesses would be better regulated, and subject to scrutiny, and perhaps run by women.

Suppose a manicure cost as much as you pay for a haircut.

There's a lot more training needed to provide a haircut* than to be able to do a basic manicure. However, maybe it can be compared to the skill of an assistant who might do a shampoo and set (back in the day) or a weekly blow out today. 

*then again, think about men's cuts or places like super cuts that charge $15 for a haircut. I often wonder how they get by too.

j_r said:

I have to think that the solution to oppression resulting from the demand for cheap manicures is not a continued demand for cheap manicures. Perhaps if women decided that the women who provide this service should be treated more fairly, manicures would cost  more than $12, and businesses would be better regulated, and subject to scrutiny, and perhaps run by women.

 I think this sounds right. I didn't mean to judge, I'm just very concerned and more than a little disturbed.

I'm surprised that anyone who has gotten mani or pedi is surprised about what this article is saying

Bee said:

I'm surprised that anyone who has gotten mani or pedi is surprised about what this article is saying

Maybe the extent/potential of the health problems is what's very sobering. I've also often wondered what the solutions for doing perms, straightenings, and color in a salon do to the stylists. The chemicals are pretty potent.

There is new regulations proposed in NYC.

http://pubadvocate.nyc.gov/news/articles/pa-james-calls-nail-salon-health-and-safety-bill

I have to wonder if that bill would put a financial burden on shop owners that would result in higher prices and drive away some customers who really want (or need) the extremely low prices that are so common now? Which, in turn, could hurt the industry overall and also the workers who need the jobs. But I am glad they are trying to regulate it and reduce the health risks.

The problem I have with that bill is it's putting the burden on shop owners, as far as I can see. What about regulating the industry that makes the products that are so toxic? Is there anything that addresses them? Or any way to do so?

Don't forget that the jobs that might be lost because of the cost of stricter regulation are jobs that pay workers nothing, or less than the minimum wage, and subject them to hours and working conditions that can range from unpleasant to dangerous. Nobody needs a low-cost manicure; it's an indulgence -- and one that the article points out was an occasional luxury not too long ago.

(I feel somewhat ridiculous as I say this, in my Tiffany-blue pedicure, but it may have been the last.) 

Every statement made justifying the continuation of this EXPLOITATION of workers in a dangerous work environment, (lost jobs, opportunity, etc.) are the same types of statements made against disinvestment in South Africa during apartheid, child labor and other grotesque forms of human abuse. Why not throw in the justification of child prostitutes? I mean how else can these 13 year olds support their families?

Look, I also liked getting a mani pedis and loved the look of my nails. But in the deepest part of my heart and mind I have always wondered if these women were fairly treated and if the conditions were safe. Now we know. If you wouldn't purchase items made in sweat shops or coffee that wasn't fair trade, how could you possibly continue to be a part of this system?

Tell Kim or the owner of you favorite salon, that you will not return until they install proper precautions for the safety of their workers. Be part of the solution.

j_r said:

Don't forget that the jobs that might be lost because of the cost of stricter regulation are jobs that pay workers nothing, or less than the minimum wage, and subject them to hours and working conditions that can range from unpleasant to dangerous. Nobody needs a low-cost manicure; it's an indulgence -- and one that the article points out was an occasional luxury not too long ago.

(I feel somewhat ridiculous as I say this, in my Tiffany-blue pedicure, but it may have been the last.) 

Are these people qualified to do other, better jobs, and if they are, why aren't they doing those jobs instead already? I'm afraid that if the proposed regulation starts putting salons out of business and making mani/pedis cost far more than women have become accustomed to, those manicurists will be out of work altogether with nothing to fall back on.

It indicates that many are illegal so what other type of work would even be available to them?

I know someone who used to work at a salon and switched to cleaning houses because she could set her own hours and the money went directly to her (obviously, she doesn't work for a cleaning service, because I feel like some of those chain cleaning services have similar issues).

Bee said:

I'm surprised that anyone who has gotten mani or pedi is surprised about what this article is saying

Agree. My wife pays $45 for a mani/pedi and goes to the service provider's home. That person is fully-licensed and not exploited. The same service at her salon is $65+. Everyone there is licensed and paid a living wage. It's a choice that one must make, depending on how much one is able and/or willing to pay.

I know that the cleaning service companies pay awful wages, yet many people use them.

I'm also concerned that most, if not all, of the salon workers are not licensed and the owners are not paying taxes on their paltry wages. Hate to say it, but I'm sure Leo's and Kim's Nails are in this crowd.

Today's NYT  has another investigation into the nail salon dirty business, citing it the first of two.

http://www.nytimes.com/2015/05/10/nyregion/at-nail-salons-in-nyc-manicurists-are-underpaid-and-unprotected.html?ref=todayspaper

It seems our suburbs conceal an illegal community of Asian and  Hispanic women who are living and working  under Dickensonian  conditions. Years back, Maplewood appeared to becoming a nail salon magnate as Springfield Ave sprouted shops like weeds and even the village had salons everywhere. What I remember was the dismay of citizens and officials alike over this retailing change. The dismay was based on the cheapening appearance heralding the downturn of Maplewood as a desirable place in which to live.

I do not recall concern over the working conditions of these employees, even as it was common to see the vans dropping off workers each day. Political talk revolved on how to stop the proliferation of these businesses to "save" Springfield and Maplewood avenues.

Another "scandal" erupted a couple of decades ago over the dirty manicure tools used when customers began to have infected nails, etc. 

This is an industry that survives with the collaboration of  customers and the guile of owners.

That's actually the link from the OP. The first article went online on Thursday and appears in the Sunday paper.

http://nyti.ms/1AHoYo6

Part 2, on the health risks to workers, will appear in the Monday paper.

http://nyti.ms/1JvnvWZ

Wow. Cuomo has ordered emergency measures to protect the nail salon workers in NY. I'm pretty impressed.

http://www.nytimes.com/2015/05/11/nyregion/cuomo-orders-emergency-measures-to-protect-workers-at-nail-salons.html?_r=0

Requirements they are putting in place: Gloves, masks, education about rights and wage theft in several languages, and a requirement that salons be bonded.

Sweetsnuggles said:

When I was in Geneva and wanted a manicure, I couldn't find a nail salon.  The front desk of the hotel where I was staying called a manicurist for me.  She arrived within thirty minutes and gave me a beautiful manicure.  I did not inquire about the cost beforehand, so initially was surprised to find out that it cost $50 US plus tip.  It was money well spent. 

 Exactly. If I am going to pay a pretty penny I would prefer it went to the individual directly. 

@PeggyC - I too am very glad to see that news this morning regarding Cuomo's emergency measures. 

We have met the enemy, and he is us. -Pogo

Since I'm sure Christi will do nothing about this in NJ, I'm wondering if we can do anything about the salon's in our towns?

Just to mention that Anthony Garubo has a licensed manucurist, who is well paid.

PeggyC said:

I have to wonder if that bill would put a financial burden on shop owners that would result in higher prices and drive away some customers who really want (or need) the extremely low prices that are so common now? Which, in turn, could hurt the industry overall and also the workers who need the jobs. But I am glad they are trying to regulate it and reduce the health risks.

 This is exactly what conservatives say about minimum wage, OSHA, EEOC, child labor laws, etc.

Um, I said I was glad they are trying to regulate it. No one could ever mistake me for a conservative of any stripe. Jeez.

No one needs a manicure. 

PeggyC said:

Um, I said I was glad they are trying to regulate it. No one could ever mistake me for a conservative of any stripe. Jeez.

 I know. I just wanted to point out where that argument can lead.

annemarie said:

No one needs a manicure. 

 I think this is the crux of the issue and why so many women are mortified by this article. Somehow getting a manicure has turned into a weekly necessity instead of an occasional treat or for a special occasion. I mean, NONE of the jobs that many people do for terrible pay (dishwashing, construction, landscaping, etc) are "necessary" in the big scheme of things, but somehow manicures seem more on the "this woman no longer has fingerprints so I can have pretty fingernails" level of unnecessary stuff.

when I was working the summers between college semesters in NYC I was always amazed that every.single.woman on the subway had perfect toes. I started painting my own toenails regularly just because I felt like a heathen with "natural" (though always clean and neat) toenails, though I never got a proper pedicure. But no one should be getting close enough to my feet to know if my pedicure is "professional" or not. Except my L&D nurse who was holding my feet and DID make fun of my feet, but in my defense I hadn't seen my feet in months.