Guest workers in U.S. say they’re being exploited

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The current heated debate in the United States surrounding guest-worker programs has focused on Latin Americans. But an incident this week involving a group of migrant workers from India could have repercussions for other short-term, non-farm guest workers.

‘On Wednesday, a dozen workers from India ended a four-week hunger strike that was meant to highlight their allegations that a guest worker program is abusing foreign laborers and shutting Americans out of decent jobs,’ writes The Times’ Nicole Gaouette from Washington, D.C.

‘The workers had camped out in a tiny park across from the Indian Embassy in the shadow of a statue of Mahatma Gandhi. They came to the U.S. to work in a Mississippi shipyard, lured by assurances of permanent residency. Instead, they said, they ended up in substandard living conditions, with reduced wages and promises of a green card that never came.’

‘Their protest was designed to illuminate a guest worker program that critics say is rife with exploitation and can be repaired only with congressional action.’

’ ‘As long as the laws that exist for these programs are unenforced and unenforceable, guest workers will continue to be exploited and American workers will continue to be displaced,’ said Saket Soni, director of the New Orleans Workers’ Center for Racial Justice, which helped plan the protest.’

‘The hunger strikers’ immediate aim is to be legally permitted to remain in the U.S. while the Justice Department investigates allegations about their treatment in the H-2B visa program. The program brings non-farm workers to the U.S. on short-term contracts in such businesses as shipyards, summer resorts or clam-shucking operations. Their request to remain in the U.S. is unresolved.’

‘But their larger goal is to have Congress reexamine the program, which they say is a vehicle for worker exploitation and trafficking, particularly in the ravaged Gulf Coast areas of Mississippi and Louisiana. Some of their allies on Capitol Hill, including Reps. Doris Matsui (D-Sacramento), Barbara Lee (D-Oakland) and Pete Stark (D-Fremont.), have called the H-2B program ‘an example of modern slavery.’ ‘

-- Reed Johnson in Mexico City