Exploited: The Plight of the Undocumented Worker
By Cristina Jimenez, Drum Major Institute
Posted on August 12, 2008
We all know that undocumented workers are vulnerable to abuse and exploitation, but under this administration, the abuses and violations of human, labor and civil rights have become obscenely worse. A recent clear example: Iowa's meatpacking plant raid.
Much has been written about the unjust and abusive means used by the Justice Department and Homeland Security to deport these workers and their families. But a recent finding reported by the New York Times is even more upsetting- Agriprocessors, the raided meatpacking plant, hired undocumented immigrants as young as 13.
Among the 389 detained, more than 20 workers were found to be under-age. But this is not all. The young immigrants declared that they were exploited, mistreated, beaten, and abused. Some of them worked 17 hours a day, six days a week. And if you think they were making some money by getting paid overtime, you are wrong. Overtime was rarely paid.
As soon as they come to the United States, undocumented workers start desperately seeking for job opportunities to sustain and provide a better life for their families-the very reason for migrating. And of course, employers are more than happy to take advantage of the availability of this vulnerable and desperate pool of workers. Conveniently, employers create low-quality jobs that immigrants are forced to take because their immigration status prevents them from getting or demanding good jobs. While working, undocumented workers endure unfair treatment and wages because they fear being fired or reported to immigration.
http://www.alternet.org/story/94703/
