In an article that appeared last Sunday, N.Y. Times reporter, Steven Greenhouse reported the results of the first national study on day laborers. The study established that day laborers and day labor centers are not only local or regional in scope, but a national phenomenon with 117,600 day laborers gathering at over 500 centers.The study also reported on an aspect of the immigration and day labor issue which is often overlooked, i.e., wage violations and hazardous working conditions. 49% of workers interviewed complained that during the previous two months an employer had not paid them for one or two days of work. 73% of the workers were forced to work in dangerous working conditions. On a daily basis, in Mesa and throughout the State of Arizona, everyone from major contractors to housewives stop and pick up day laborers who line such intersections as Broadway and Gilbert Rd. It is not unreasonable to suggest that these laborers are also being subjected to the above described abuses. Yet, neither the state legislature nor thr Mesa City Council, as a whole, have expressed concern regarding the pernicious conduct of employers which violate state and federal wage and safety laws. The laborers do not report such violations for fear of being fired or denied their wages.In light of the inaction of governmental authorities, the establishment of a privately operated day labor center, where both the employers and the laborers register, would provide the best protection against such abuses
Regardless of one’s position regarding immigration and day labor centers, I believe all would agree that no employee should be denied fair wages for work performed or be exposed to hazardous working conditions.January 25th, 2006, 3:38 pm · 1 Comment · posted by philaustinOne CommentLeave a Reply |
Your topic regarding the day labor situation and unfair wages prompted my own experiences on this topic.
A privately owned day labor center seems to be functioning quite nicely in Phoenix out on Bell Road.
Who would purchase a private center such as this and how would this work in the east valley? Who would be responsible for it’s operation and maintenance?
Attending the Hispanic gentleman’s meetings to address his business concerns near Broadway and Gilbert Road, helped me realize and understand both sides of the problem. Neighborhood residents and other interested citizens gathered to discuss ideas in order to help a small businessman’s concerns.
Because the city has no authority over illegal immigration issues, the solution for this business owner came through posting “No Loitering” signs.
Employers willing to disregard those signs and stop to hire day laborers anyway, (some violators were ticketed) in my view had a greater expectation to also cheat someone out of pay promised.