Croc - I'm assuming you are in Canada?
Yes. You assume right.
I think you have me all wrong here.
No, actually, I've been reading this thread for quite some time, so I do know what you mean and also that you are well-meaning.
The current system exploits people.
Yes, for sure. I agree. I've travelled in the Southwest and California quite a bit and am well aware of the degree of exploitation that's going on. I also read the Arizona Republic and other newspapers from the U.S. all of the time, so I'm well aware of the issues from both sides -- workers and employers of illegal immigrants.
They have to hope that they are not caught and sent back to Mexico now, even though they are doing work here in the US that makes everyone richer.
Yes, I've seen the men lined up and standing around smoking cigarettes while they wait for enough of them for the next "load" on the buses that take them back across the border when they've been caught by the border patrol north of Sierra Vista.
I think we need to recognize this, and bring them in to the system.
Most definitely. People *do* need to acknowledge what is going on. However, the truth is, these workers are already factored into "the system" as it is.
That doesn't exclude them from being paid more. It makes it more likely that they will be paid more. I'm sure many now are not paid the minimum wage. This can be the path to end that.
Do you really think the employers would be hiring illegals if they actually had to pay them a *real* salary? From what I've seen while travelling in the SW, I don't think so. The current reality is based entirely on "economic opportunism". If employers were forced to pay *real* wages, they'd be hiring locals -- just the same as they do for the "front desk" jobs where they are forced to hire locals who speak English well and so they don't have to worry about their desk clerk suddenly being hauled off over the border by the immigration department.
-croc |
