‘Amnesty Woes Snag Trade’
The powerful moral imperative for a generous U.S. immigration and refugee policy and for a humane and comprehensive legalization program must not become a mask for misleading employer claims of a labor shortage! (“Amnesty Woes Snag L.A. Garment Trade,” June 14.)
All too many employers have become intoxicated over the years with what they perceived as open access to a docile, highly vulnerable, easily exploitable, readily expendable labor source. Others have simply adapted to a competitive labor market dominated and shaped by the greediest and most unscrupulous employers among them.
Both statistical information and our own experience demonstrate that there are mass numbers of minority and other disadvantaged persons who are unemployed, underemployed or have never had the opportunity to enter the labor market in Southern California. They do wish to work. They do want to learn skills. They do desire an income.
There are indeed a few minimal conditions that must be met by employers:
- Pay a decent minimum wage. True, the legal hourly minimum is now $3.35, last raised to that in 1981. Since then, the cost of California household necessities has surged. In terms of purchasing power, the minimum wage is actually at its lowest since 1955. A single parent with a child receives more than the equivalent in public assistance merely to survive. State Sen. Art Torres (D-Los Angeles) has introduced a Senate measure to raise the California minimum wage to the more rational and equitable level of $5.01. Is that too much to ask in remuneration for hard and necessary labor?
- Eradicate the widespread, illegal, uncontrolled activity of the massive underground industrial and service economy, such as garment industry homework--where wages are driven ever downward, no fringe benefits or overtime exists, social security and disability insurance are ignored, child labor flourishes, health and safety hazards abound, while workers often pay the costs of space, machinery, repairs which should be borne by the employer. These conditions victimize the worker and squeeze the legitimate employer out of competition.
- Provide incentives for the workers to gravitate to the industry or occupation of alleged labor shortages. Demonstrate that workers can look forward to continuing opportunity to work there. Arrange for new training where needed or help prospective workers plug into existing training systems. In reality, the situation demands of employers only modest--but consistent--adjustment. The workers will respond. And in the process they may well help stabilize the industries in question and perhaps even contribute to a higher incomes/increased efficiency strategy of economic growth in California.
JIMMIE DIXSON
President, Los Angeles Branch
A. Philip Randolph Institute
ALBERT GRIBBELL VELASCO
President, Los Angeles Chapter
Labor Council for Latin American Advancement
MAX MONT
Region Director
Jewish Labor Committee
