欧美文化:Labor shortage, inflation pinch child care providers in U.S. Philadelphia: report

NEW YORK, March 24 (Xinhua) -- Many Philadelphia child care providers are short-staffed and struggling to fill positions as rising inflation eats into their revenues, reported major U.S. news portal Axios on Monday.

"Day care facilities are losing a battle for workers to companies that are raising entry-level wages beyond 15 U.S. dollars an hour -- such as Target, Walmart and Amazon -- and offering jobs that are less stressful and labor-intensive," said the report.

The hike came as inflation is at its highest in 40 years, which is driving up the costs of utilities, cleaning supplies, food for children, rents and transportation for both providers and employees, according to the report.

"Day care providers are a lifeline for parents to remain in the workforce, but rising tuitions are pricing some families out," said Axios.

Half of all child care worker families are estimated to participate in at least one public income support program in Pennsylvania, which had a net loss of more than 380 child development and early learning centers from February 2020 through last month, Tyrone Scott, director of government and external affairs for First Up, was quoted as saying.