Bitter Harvest: U.S. Farmers Blame Billion-Dollar Losses on Immigration Laws

[Crabtownboy]

This should be of interest to all of us.

Roughly 70% of the 1.2 million people employed by the agricultural industry are undocumented. No American industry is more dependent on undocumented immigrants. But acute labor shortages brought on by anti-immigration measures threaten to heap record losses on an industry reemerging from years of stiff foreign competition. Nationwide, labor shortages will result in losses of up to $9 billion, according to the Farm Bureau Federation.

Read more: http://business.time.com/2012/09/21...lar-losses-on-immigration-laws/#ixzz276mcSvbV

 

[targus]

So now Crabby is in favor of big agriculture exploiting poor immigrants in the name of profits !!! :laugh:

 

[InTheLight]

Roughly 70% of the 1.2 million people employed by the agricultural industry are undocumented.

And they know this.....how?

 

[billwald]

The most effective foreign aid is letting single agricultural workers come here and send money home.

The point should be that Americans are unwilling to do field work for minimum wage - and in WA the minimum wage is $9/hour.

 

[David Michael Harris]

God aint blessing America any more because it's so sinful?

 

[targus]

The most effective foreign aid is letting single agricultural workers come here and send money home.

The point should be that Americans are unwilling to do field work for minimum wage - and in WA the minimum wage is $9/hour.

So you are in favor of people from other countries being exploited for less than minimum wage because they aren't American?

Very strange position for a union guy.

Why are you out organizing farm unions? :laugh:

 

[David Michael Harris]

Goodness me 9 dollars a hour? Thats terrible.

 

[billwald]

Targus - who taught you to read? See if you can get your returned.

 

[shodan]

So you are in favor of people from other countries being exploited for less than minimum wage because they aren't American?

Very strange position for a union guy.

Why are you out organizing farm unions? :laugh:

I am sure these people appreciate your concern about them. But for the poor and unemployed, any wage is much better than the no wage you wish upon them.

More from the article: "The Broetjes and an increasing number of farmers across the country say that a complex web of local and state anti-immigration laws account for acute labor shortages. With the harvest season in full bloom, stringent immigration laws have forced waves of undocumented immigrants to flee certain states for more-hospitable areas. In their wake, thousands of acres of crops have been left to rot in the fields..."

 

[billwald]

In WA field workers earn $9/hour minimum wage. Anyone on BB working for less than $9/hour?