posted on October 17, 2005 03:09:45 PM
Lured by the Work, but Struggling to Be Paid. ALL BECAUSE GEORGE BUSH SUSPENDED THE DAVIS-BACON ACT DESIGNED TO STOP THIS FROM HAPPENING. BUSH'S ACTIONS ARE NOT ACTIONS FROM A MAN OF GOD.
LETS ALL SEND BUSH'S DAUGHTERS AND OTHER FAMILY MEMBERS TO WORK UNDER THE FOLLOWING CONDITIONS.
By ROBIN POGREBIN
Published: New York Times, October 17, 2005
GULFPORT, Miss., Oct. 14 - The acrid smell inside trailer No. 2 is tough to take for any length of time. The linoleum floor is filthy and bare, aside from a few soiled blankets jammed in the corners. Dishes caked with leftover food are piled high in the sink, attracting flies. Two portable fans are the only things stirring the air.
But six men are living here. They sleep on that floor. They swat away those flies and dodge the roaches at night. They traveled all the way from Guatemala for this.
"It's O.K. for us," said one of them, Francisco Velazquez. "We need money."
One of the many casualties of Hurricane Katrina was the Mississippi work force. There are not enough people left in the area to fill the many jobs there are to do. Those posting "help wanted" signs include the Applebee's in Ocean Springs, Miss., which has been closing at 6 p.m. for lack of waiters, and the contractors enlisted to clear the seemingly limitless debris along the Gulf Coast.
Mr. Velazquez, 45, is one of 32 immigrants housed in three mobile homes who are being paid $8 an hour to tear Sheetrock for 10 hours a day. The men are among hundreds of illegal immigrants who entered the United States hoping to find work in the aftermath of the hurricane.
They are promised good pay, three meals a day and a place to stay, and some contractors make good on this. But the Mississippi Immigrants Rights Alliance, an advocacy group, says many do not.
"These workers are super exploited by contractors in horrible living conditions," said Bill Chandler, the president of the alliance. "People are working without any kind of inoculation - tetanus or anti-hepatitis - they don't have goggles, they don't have gloves, they don't have any safety protection at all."
Last month, President Bush made it easier for employers to use a less-expensive hand, suspending the Davis-Bacon Act in the areas devastated by Hurricane Katrina. The act is a Depression-era law that prohibits federally financed construction jobs from paying wages less than a local average.
Mr. Velazquez and the other men crossed the desert for three nights on foot and stole across the border because they heard about the hurricane and wanted jobs. Mr. Velazquez has 10 brothers, a wife and three grown daughters back home. He said his parents were sick, and when he talked about his father, his eyes filled with tears.
"He's 86 years old and he can't walk," Mr. Velazquez said. "My parents say, 'We need help.' "
Arnoldo Antonio Lopez, 36, another worker in the group, said he paid $70 a month to live in trailer No. 10. He said he would have put up with the poor conditions, but the contractor who hired him did not pay him. "He promised me $7 an hour wages and good food," Mr. Lopez said.
He and the other men went to work for another contractor. But that employer also did not pay, they said. The alliance refused to name any of the employers because it is considering legal action.
"They hadn't eaten for three days when we got to them," said Vicki Cintra, the Gulf Coast outreach organizer for the alliance. "They had no blankets, nothing. They were sleeping on the floor. They had no money to buy food."
So when the alliance offered a way out, Mr. Lopez and the other workers in the group eagerly accepted it. Now they are living at Our Lady of Fatima Church in Biloxi, Miss., where the Roman Catholic nuns took them in.
"They were having many difficulties," said Sister Maryvale Witrago, a nun working at the church. "We wanted to try to help them."
"We're trying to look for other jobs for them, other people who will be more honest," Sister Maryvale added. "If they work, they should receive the money for the work. Because they don't speak English, the bosses think it's easier to keep the money."
UNINTELLIGENT DESIGN FROM GEORGE BUSH NOT A MAN OF GOD!!!!!
THE HOUSE OF LIARS,CONS AND CROOKS IS BEING EXPOSED EVERY DAY.
posted on October 17, 2005 03:27:11 PMThe men are among hundreds of illegal immigrants who entered the United States hoping to find work in the aftermath of the hurricane.
Illegals are not covered anyway, so what is your point?
I am curious as to how you connect this with not enough workers? That alone will drive wages.
I wanted to add, you really don't have a clue as to how much it costs to have FTE's do you?
Ron
[ edited by WashingtoneBayer on Oct 17, 2005 03:31 PM ]
posted on October 17, 2005 05:21:01 PM
Ron,
I knew this kind of HUMAN ABUSE wouldn't bother a gold hearted NEOCON like you. That's right as long as the NEOCONS bottom line is a fat one anything goes.
posted on October 17, 2005 05:38:24 PM
peepa, I'm sorry to tell you this, but Davis-Bacon act or not, there are always scumbag employers who take advantage of their workers, illegal or not, just like there are scumbag employees, who take advantage of their employers. I'm not saying it's right, or that there shouldn't be stiff consequences for these low-lifes. There should. But you can't blame it on Bush. Under the D-B act, these dirtbags would have just promised their workers more money, and still not come through.
I don't think the D-B act should have been suspended either, and it's a prime example of the way this president favors business over the common man, but it has nothing to do with the way these folks are being treated.
____________________________________________
Habla siempre que debas y calla siempre que puedas....
posted on October 18, 2005 06:54:27 AM
How is it "Human Abuse"? These people are free to leave and go elsewhere anytime they want. They aren't slave labor.
$8.00 an hour for totally mindless (i.e. no special training) manual labor job? Sounds better than working at McDonalds.
And why describe their filthy trailer with unwashed dishes in the sink and soiled blankets? Can't these people be bothered to clean up after themselves? This kind of writing is intended to pull at your heartstrings, not your logic center.
I've had jobs that paid less than $8 an hour, and I still manage to do my own dishes!
--------------------------------------
Quidquid Latine dictum sit altum sonatur.
posted on October 18, 2005 11:55:23 AM
Why is it Human Abuse?
1- No food.
2- No pay
3-Scab wages
4-Illegals shouldn't be in the U.S. to be taking advantage of.
5-No protection against disease
6-No safety or protection equipment
7-32 people in 3 mobile homes
I could go on but there is no reason to because NEOCON COLD HEARTED people like you don't give a s*it.
You both have NEVER done any work like these guys were doing under the conditions they were enduring. Nor would you.
Neither one of you have ever lived with 32 people in 3 mobile homes or you would know why its called HUMAN ABUSE.
Yes Sir NEOCONS LIKE YOU GUYS WILL WHIP ANYONE YOU CAN TO INCREASE YOUR BOTTOM LINE.
Remarks like you 2 just made is why
THE HOUSE OF LIARS,CONS AND CROOKS IS CRUMBLING AND THAT'S JUST FINE WITH ME. YES!!!
posted on October 18, 2005 12:17:11 PM
LOL,
You still have not shown any human abuse, these people are free to come and go, they are not trapped there and by all accounts are living there by choice.
So are you saying that someone making a choice is now human abuse?
posted on October 18, 2005 01:19:22 PMSo when the alliance offered a way out, Mr. Lopez and the other workers in the group eagerly accepted it. Now they are living at Our Lady of Fatima Church in Biloxi, Miss., where the Roman Catholic nuns took them in.
So these people are OK now, since the nuns took them in, and helping them find work.
They came here, I am guessing, by their own free will. And yes, they left family behind that despartly needed help. But immigrants that come across the border from Mexico, to say, California, probably need money badly also, and for those they left behind.
posted on October 18, 2005 02:27:59 PM
Ron,
Somehow I just knew a person like you would find the those peoples working and living conditions funny.
I guess the only other place those illeagle workers could go is home. If the NEOCONS form of failed CON-servative government ever closed and enforced the laws on Illegal Immigration,Human Rights and Abuse.
But Ron's form of government would rather keep our Southern Borders wide open. The NEOCONS need millions of poor people to provide labor to feed their greed and bottom line.
American workers would flock to the Gulf Coast to find work if they got paid a living wage.
BTW Ron I haven't heard much from you about Republican Sen.Santorum lately. Don't worry I will help keep you informed.
The latest is Democrat Bob Casey widens gap over Santorum to 14 points in Pa.
The NEOCONS don't have enough spin left to keep their CON-servative from of government from grumbling.
posted on October 18, 2005 08:30:17 PMI guess the only other place those illeagle workers could go is home.
Sounds about right to me, they should go home and take their dirty dishes for their Mamasita's to do for them or they could go live with you, peepa. So what's the problem, is your trailer all full up??
By the way, what exactly is an 'illeagle', is that some kind of a sick bird??
posted on October 19, 2005 04:42:42 AM
sea,
Yes,those people need money. So doesn't the 5 million more Americans put in poverty in the last 5 years under this CON-servative form of government. That is not counting the Gulf Coast people that are out of work since the storms.
Pay a living wage and Americans will flock to the Gulf Coast looking for jobs.
posted on October 19, 2005 05:20:02 AM
piinthesky, if you are so shallow in your thinking that all you can worry about is dirty dishes. Its sad.
Maybe Bush and his CON-servative law makers should expand government EVEN MORE. Yes, Bush and congress could create a Federal Dirty Dish Agency. Then since your a big buddy Bush could appoint you the head of it.
The first job your agents could be assigned to is go around the colleges. The agents could inspect college apartments looking for dirty dishes.
The punishment for having dirty dishes that violates new Federal laws would be, to send those kids home with their dirty dishes.
These law braking kids of course would still have to pay off their college loans without being able to go bankrupt.
You could become a new NEOCON HERO by ridding AMERICA of dirty dishes and raising money to help pay for the tax cut the rich keep getting.
posted on October 19, 2005 06:57:35 AM
Unskilled labor, in this area, pays roughly $6.00-$8.00 an hour. Sounds like the pay wasn't bad. $70 per month rent, again, not bad. Flies and roaches were there for the dishes "caked with leftover food". It seems they have someone looking out for them now...good. I also would think it would take more than "3 nights on foot" to get from Guatamala to Mississippi.
Is the complaint that they are illegals, taking jobs away from Americans? Or that Americans cannot "make a living wage" going there to work?
posted on October 19, 2005 11:46:25 AM
Hey Twiggy,
Once again I hear fron another COLD HEARTED NEOCON. After YOU tear down old wet sheet rock 10 hours a day for a couple weeks. Without any vaccinations against disease,safety equipment or breathing devices. Then come back and tell me AGAIN 6 to 8 dollars an hour isn't bad pay.
Sorry Twiggy & Ron, NEOCONS like you don't have enough spin left to keep your form of CON-servative government from crumbling.
Sorry Ron, I can't believe a guy with your mind set pays benefits. Unless you are forced to under the laws your side is doing away with.
posted on October 19, 2005 12:01:08 PMAfter YOU tear down old wet sheet rock 10 hours a day for a couple weeks. Without any vaccinations against disease,safety equipment or breathing devices. Then come back and tell me AGAIN 6 to 8 dollars an hour isn't bad pay.
I for one see your point, peepa. Because they are illegals, they should all be given executive positions that pay enough so that they can also hire maids to do their dishes for them.
posted on October 19, 2005 02:24:03 PM
Ron,
Business people like me own and run a business not work for one.
You see I made my own choices. Isn't that what NEOCONS say its all about?
I never did like being told what to do and when to do it,when to work and when not to work, I never had to report to anyone because I own my business. Oh I forgot to mention I never had to worry about my job being outsourced.
I hope someday if you work hard and make the "RIGHT CHOICES" you will be able to enjoy those freedoms someday. Good Luck
THE CON-SERVATIVE HOUSE OF LIARS,CONS AND CROOKS IS CRUMBLING. YES!!!
posted on October 19, 2005 02:34:40 PM
"It is called choice, but then socialists like you peepa only believe in the choice to kill unborn children."
Ron, If I'm not mistaken, aren't you pro-choice? NOT the Pro-Choice that the neocons love to label liberals as "pro-abortion"... but rather the real Pro-Choice of it being up to the individual to decide?
Also, off the subject of abortion... isn't there something in the bible called, "free will"? I've never understood the hypocrisy of religion, even the bible is full of contradictions. You would think it was the book according to the Bush Administration.
[ edited by rustygumbo on Oct 19, 2005 02:38 PM ]
posted on October 19, 2005 03:17:00 PM
Ron,
Another point I would like for you to HEAR LOUD AND CLEAR. I don't want unborn or born babies,children or adults killed for any reasons like abortion,poverty or lack of medicine.
When NEOCONS like Ron have nothing left to say in defense of their failed CON-servative form of government. They like trying to play the baby killing card. Ron's narrow way of thinking doesn't play anylonger. What all right to life people need to know and are finding out is this administration kills people everyday.
Example, we all know babies,children and adults die in HUGH NUMBERS in Africa from AIDS. We all saw and heard the LIAR George Bush's photo ops telling America that his administration is sending 15 billion dollars to Africa to fight Aids. Several photo ops later what really happened is the Bush administration sent 1 billion and no more.
Example two, we all know that 2,000 American troops and tens of thousands of babies,children and adults have been killed in Iraq. All from a War the LIAR Bush and his administration started on LIES to the American people.
BY BUSH'S OWN ACTIONS AND LIES HE HAS PROVED HE IS NOT A MAN OF GOD. BUSH IS A PHONY AND ONLY USES GOD'S NAME TO TRICK PEOPLE.
posted on October 19, 2005 03:38:00 PM
Bigpee,
I've just got this overwhelming notion that your divorced...That your wife probably walked out on you...Am I right? Certainly explains a lot.
I'm sorry that had to happen. Maybe you could call her and tell her, You were wrong, wrong about everything, that you don't have a clue...about anything and now you know because everyone on the internet says your wrong too. Oh yes tell her your sorry too.
posted on October 19, 2005 03:42:41 PM
Yes I am pro-choice but not just about that, I am also pro-choice as those people didn't have to come here, once here didn't have to live like that amongst other things.
However it doesn't hide the fact that peepa is far left of the Democratic party and his words speak if socialism, that I am against.
As far as Africa is concerned do you know that he didn't give the money? How much of US funds would you give peepa?
posted on October 20, 2005 01:05:08 AM
peepa - You say you are a proud liberal. It's painfully obviously to all, even the liberals here that rarely do you actually know what your are talking about.
If you only would become informed of the actual FACTS then your total hatred of this President and his administration and what sounds to me like all conservatives.....might be held in higher regard. As it is....you just throw out all kinds of untruths. And I would think any liberal would be embarassed to be so ignorant of the actual FACTS....to continue making a total fool of yourself in almost every post you make.
Sorry this is such a negative statement....but the truth is you're painfully ignorant of political matters/facts about which you rant on and on about.
Try getting a little more informed.....then whine and complain.....WITH KNOWLEDGE of the actual FACTS.
"Whenever the nation is under attack, from within or without, liberals side with the enemy. This is their essence." --Ann Coulter
And why the American Voters chose to RE-elect President Bush to four more years. YES!!!
--------------
HERE< PEEPA - INFORM YOURSELF OF THE FACTS.....because what you have stated about the HIV/AIDS contributions is WAY off base....once again.
posted on October 20, 2005 09:57:30 AMTry getting a little more informed.....then whine and complain.....WITH KNOWLEDGE of the actual FACTS...
And What fun is that for him? I think he rather likes going around accusing random targets about what YOUR government has done... Best is when he points it straight at fenix...lol...
posted on October 20, 2005 11:23:03 AM
Have any of you ever heard the term 'fat, dumb and happy'? I think it fits peepa and his posts. The only problem is that he's so dumb that he doesn't even know it. It's not totally his fault though, he's been dumbed down by the political party of his choice. The Comocrats don't want their followers to get informed, they just want them to follow and repeat their political mantra of lies and distortions so that maybe more of their idiots will believe them and do the same. It's called the 'snowball running down a hill theory' as it picks up speed, more and more jump on the snowball and it grows bigger and bigger. The only problem is that the people sitting on the sidelines watching their show can see it for what it really is, which is a snowball of liars and held together with more lies.
posted on October 20, 2005 02:18:17 PM
Hey NEOCONS, you can say anything you want but its your CON-SERVATIVE form of government that is GRUMBLING because of UNINTELLIGENT DESIGN. YES!!!
