Study: Undocumented Immigrants Are Backbone Of Katrina Reconstruction

The Associated Press ^ | June 7, 2006 | AP

[Smogger]

NEW ORLEANS -- They are the backbone of post-Hurricane Katrina reconstruction: Workers who converge at dawn and wait to be picked up for 14-hour shifts of hauling debris, ripping out drywall and nailing walls.

But because many are in the country illegally, immigrant workers rebuilding New Orleans are especially vulnerable to exploitation, according to a study released Tuesday by professors at Tulane University and the University of California at Berkeley.

The illegal immigrants often work in hazardous conditions without protective gear and earn far less than their legal counterparts, the study said. Nearly one-third of the illegal immigrants interviewed by researchers reported working with harmful substances and in dangerous conditions, while 19 percent said they were not given any protective equipment.

Illegal immigrants also were paid significantly less -- if at all -- earning on average $10 per hour, compared with $16.50 for documented workers, the study said.

"What is fundamentally unfair is these are workers who have responded to a national priority to rebuild this city and yet whose rights are being violated," said Laurel Fletcher, director of Berkeley's International Human Rights Law Clinic and one of the study's co-authors.

Under federal labor law, illegal immigrants are afforded the same health and safety protections as documented workers. Regardless of their legal status, laborers can sue most employers under the Fair Labor Standards Act for violation of the minimum wage law and overtime regulations, the researchers said.

The federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration said it has conducted more than 7,000 on-site inspections in the New Orleans area. The U.S. Department of Labor said it was concerned about wage and safety violations and had hurried to establish a Gulf Coast office.

"I'm not surprised that there are wage violations in the whole Gulf Coast rebuilding area -- all of the conditions are there for that to occur," said Victoria Lipnic, assistant secretary of labor for employment standards. "But we've tried to be very proactive in our enforcement effort."

Before last year's hurricane, Louisiana had one of the smallest Hispanic populations in the country -- 2.5 percent of residents compared with 12.5 percent nationally.

Census data indicates nearly 100,000 Hispanics moved to the Gulf Coast region after Katrina, lured by promises of high wages and plentiful work. It is unclear how many have come to New Orleans, though the study estimates one-quarter of the construction workers in the city are illegal immigrants.

While 83 percent of documented workers interviewed by the researchers said had access to medicine when needed, only 38 percent of illegal immigrants did. Around one-third of illegal immigrants said they understood the hazards of removing asbestos or mold, compared with more than 65 percent of documented laborers. Thirty-three percent of legal workers received medical attention when needed for a reported problem, compared to 10 percent of undocumented workers.

Some of those waiting for work said they are afraid of complaining.

"It's too dangerous for my body," said 29-year-old Saul Linan, an illegal immigrant from Mexico. "But I don't say anything. If I do, the boss says, `Hey, if you don't work hard, I'll take you to immigration."'

[Smogger]

If I do, the boss says, `Hey, if you don't work hard, I'll take you to immigration."'

Well well. The real reason business favour illegal immigrants: de facto slaves.

[1rudeboy]

Berkeley's International Human Rights Law Clinic

My BS meter just pegged.

[hedgetrimmer]

Why isn't homeland security making sure the illegals can't get into New Orleans? They certainly stopped citizens from going in there for a while.

[Spruce]

So it's gonna be a taco city, not a chocolate city?

[Fighting Irish]

[cripplecreek]

The employers wouldn't do that if they feared a jail sentence.

[kingattax]

more propaganda Bravo Sierra

[avacado]

The reason they need those illegals is because all of the locals from New Orleans, aka evacuees, are here in my town Houston living the good life on the free Katrina money. And it runs out June 31st. We are all expecting another jump in the already rise in the murder rate here.

That's part of the problem too. We have a class of Americans that will not work.

[MEGoody]

"What is fundamentally unfair is these are workers who have responded to a national priority to rebuild this city and yet whose rights are being violated," said Laurel Fletcher, director of Berkeley's International Human Rights Law Clinic and one of the study's co-authors.

If these illegals had waited and entered the country LEGALLY, they would be getting treated the same as the 'documented' workers. It's their own fault. They know that they are going to earn less and so forth when they come here. I have no sympathy for them.

[bwteim]

"My BS meter just pegged."


But, but, they're "professors"

[Darkwolf377]

To read this article you'd think the writer wants the rest of us to get out and leave the country to these folks, who are so much more interested in working than the rest of us slobs. Hmm, lemme see, what's the source for this article...?

Ah, all becomes clear.

[kingattax]

.chocolate tacos

[ClearCase_guy]

Illegal immigrants also were paid significantly less -- if at all -- earning on average $10 per hour, compared with $16.50 for documented workers.

So, the look-the-other-way policy on illegal immigrants is seriously hurting low wage earners? "Documented workers" (that means US citizens) have to compete with people who are much, much cheaper to employ.

Who wants to give the shaft to US citizens living close to the poverty line?? Usually, that's an unfair criticism that the Democrats hurl at the Republicans. But, based on the current situation, I'd say it's well deserved.

[Oliver Optic]

They are the backbone of post-Hurricane Katrina reconstruction

How touching.

Motherhood, apple pie, and illegal aliens.

[Smogger]

We have a class of Americans that will not work.

Riiiight. I see you and Bush are on the same page with that "jobs Americans won't do" nonesense.

[Digger]

Berkeley's International Human Rights Law Clinic

With the help of the AP.

[theBlankTile]

Wow. Exactly - de facto slaves. You must have been listening to me rant for the past 10 years. That's EXACTLY what it is - a form of slavery. Slavery, in the long run, is NEVER a bargain.

[avacado]

We have a class of Americans that will not work.

Riiiight. I see you and Bush are on the same page with that "jobs Americans won't do" nonesense.

We have some 200,000 evacuees here in Houston. None of them working. You be the judge.

[abseaman]

Wait a minute..

Some one correct me if I'm wrong..
Shortly after the storm a couple of job placement companys here in Florida and Alabama sent a couple of bus loads of skilled workers( carpenters, electricains, etc.) to New Orleand to help rebuild.. O.K. so far?

The guys stated working and then got told to leave because the "Mexicans" were starting to show up..

The guys had to leave and go home...

Again, some one correct me if I'm wrong on this..

[Serious Capitalist]

The big problem is that the Greater New Orleans area has very few workers period. I'm sure illegal immigrants are welcomed with open arms. Fast food places are open in some cases only from 9 am till 5 pm because that is the only time they can staff their restaurant. Most fast food type workers are working construction becuase the pay is better- New Orleans needs workers period.