Slave Wages
Wednesday, 01 August 2007 23:10 | 
Written by Administrator | 
| 
Without workable immigration law, the lawless keep robbing workers.
Copyright 2007 Houston Chronicle
One of the most frustrating things about this year's failed immigration reform is that most Americans agree we need change. Whether they emphasize stronger border enforcement or more visas, voters agree — again and again — that they want Congress to find a way to regularize the estimated 12 million workers who are here illegally. It is common sense and in everyone's best interest.
But Congress could not reach a compromise. Now an ongoing epidemic of wage theft from immigrant laborers reflects the many ways that a dysfunctional immigration system robs us all.
According to a recent Chronicle story, reports of Houston-area employers refusing to pay immigrants for their work doubled from 2006 to 2007. The U.S. Department of Labor's office here received 842 complaints of businesses stealing back pay in 2006, compared to 371 in 2005. There were 172 in 2004. The department does not investigate complaints against individual employers. Nationally, almost half of all day labors reported being robbed by employers in a two-month period, according to a 2006 survey.
Reports of stolen wages probably account for only a small portion of wage thefts. As about 75 percent of day laborers are undocumented, many shy from complaining to authorities. Because they are low-income workers supporting impoverished families, they often cannot afford to lose precious work hours trying to file charges.
Even so, for those immigrant laborers who came forward last year, the Labor Department recovered $475,000 owed to 453 workers.The spike in complaints might actually be a positive trend: Thanks to hard work by city, state and federal officials, more immigrants might be reporting wage crimes against them, said Richard Shaw of the AFL-CIO.
Houston's Justice and Equality in the Workplace program, founded in 2001, coordinates efforts by the Labor Department, consulates and nonprofits to teach day workers their rights. Among those rights — for landscapers, nannies and construction workers, documented or not — is protection by U.S. hour and wage laws.
Two years ago, the Houston Police Department streamlined its system so day laborers can file complaints. Equipped with evidence of attempted collection and contact information, HPD usually starts with a phone call. "You often get a real fast corrective response to that," Shaw said.
But these initiatives are only dents in the widespread exploitation of immigrant laborers. Unchecked, the ongoing crime affects everyone.
Who wants a house built by a contractor willing to steal and thinking he can get away with it? Who wants a city where law-breakers go free — because their victims fear them?
Finally, what business can compete with a modern-day slaver?
Creating a system that accommodates the U.S. demand for labor is complex but not impossible. Our highly paid Congress fell down on the job. As a result, the country is left with a system in which amoral employers can, without consequence, rob workers of their rights and their pay.
Copyright 2007 Houston Chronicle
One of the most frustrating things about this year's failed immigration reform is that most Americans agree we need change. Whether they emphasize stronger border enforcement or more visas, voters agree — again and again — that they want Congress to find a way to regularize the estimated 12 million workers who are here illegally. It is common sense and in everyone's best interest.
But Congress could not reach a compromise. Now an ongoing epidemic of wage theft from immigrant laborers reflects the many ways that a dysfunctional immigration system robs us all.
According to a recent Chronicle story, reports of Houston-area employers refusing to pay immigrants for their work doubled from 2006 to 2007. The U.S. Department of Labor's office here received 842 complaints of businesses stealing back pay in 2006, compared to 371 in 2005. There were 172 in 2004. The department does not investigate complaints against individual employers. Nationally, almost half of all day labors reported being robbed by employers in a two-month period, according to a 2006 survey.
Reports of stolen wages probably account for only a small portion of wage thefts. As about 75 percent of day laborers are undocumented, many shy from complaining to authorities. Because they are low-income workers supporting impoverished families, they often cannot afford to lose precious work hours trying to file charges.
Even so, for those immigrant laborers who came forward last year, the Labor Department recovered $475,000 owed to 453 workers.The spike in complaints might actually be a positive trend: Thanks to hard work by city, state and federal officials, more immigrants might be reporting wage crimes against them, said Richard Shaw of the AFL-CIO.
Houston's Justice and Equality in the Workplace program, founded in 2001, coordinates efforts by the Labor Department, consulates and nonprofits to teach day workers their rights. Among those rights — for landscapers, nannies and construction workers, documented or not — is protection by U.S. hour and wage laws.
Two years ago, the Houston Police Department streamlined its system so day laborers can file complaints. Equipped with evidence of attempted collection and contact information, HPD usually starts with a phone call. "You often get a real fast corrective response to that," Shaw said.
But these initiatives are only dents in the widespread exploitation of immigrant laborers. Unchecked, the ongoing crime affects everyone.
Who wants a house built by a contractor willing to steal and thinking he can get away with it? Who wants a city where law-breakers go free — because their victims fear them?
Finally, what business can compete with a modern-day slaver?
Creating a system that accommodates the U.S. demand for labor is complex but not impossible. Our highly paid Congress fell down on the job. As a result, the country is left with a system in which amoral employers can, without consequence, rob workers of their rights and their pay.