From down Mexico way comes an article titled Day laborers push U.S. Congress for their rights. I wonder why TheNewsMexico.com is worried about the labor situation in the US?
WASHINGTON - A group of day laborers from throughout the country arrived at the Capitol Thursday to lobby Congress for a bill aimed at protecting their rights and improving their working conditions.Sounds cool! Let's have the INS run the "employment centers".
The bill, to be introduced Thursday by Rep. Luis Gutierrez (Dem.-IL), sets a minimum daily wage, requires contractors to comply with certain safety measures and provides 10 million dollars to set up employment centers.
Gutierrez told EFE that while these issues are usually addressed at the state and local levels, Congress must act by setting nationwide norms and establishing an institutional mechanism to protect the rights of day laborers.
The lawmaker said the measures must deal with transportation provisions, manner of payment, overtime and resolving disputes with contractors.
He added that one of the ways to improve the situation of the day laborers is through a program to legalize undocumented immigrants, giving them access to better opportunities and the security to stand up for their rights.
"Those who fear deportation won't open their mouths and are abused. We as a society must not tolerate these abuses, because these workers are members of our community," Gutierrez said.
They check in, but they don't check out.
