Final answer:
Low-income workers may desire safer conditions but often face financial limitations that affect their ability to pay for safety improvements. High-income workers have more financial flexibility, which might influence their willingness to prioritize and pay for safety. Safety could also be impacted by factors such as union bargaining power and social safety nets.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question regarding whether low-income workers are less willing to pay for safety compared to high-income workers is not straightforward. Willingness to pay for safety often depends on one's disposable income. High-income workers typically have more disposable income, which could give them greater flexibility in prioritizing safety. Low-income workers, on the other hand, often face more immediate financial pressures. They may have the desire for safer working conditions, but their limited financial resources may restrict their ability to pay for such safety improvements.
It's also important to note that low-wage workers may suffer due to higher prices for goods in protected industries, like food and clothing, which reduces their purchasing power further. This economic strain can affect their willingness or ability to pay for increased safety measures at work. Furthermore, a well-funded social safety net could influence individuals' perceptions of market risks and potentially the strictness of safety regulations. The share of U.S. workers whose wages are determined by union bargaining is generally lower than in other high-income countries. Unions often play a significant role in negotiating for better safety standards and worker protections, which could affect safety outcomes regardless of individual workers' ability or willingness to pay.