Bush plan gives employers too much power over guest-workers- NY T op-ed

[Eric J in MN]

Guest-workers who lose jobs may be forced to leave immediately instead of being given a chance to find another job.

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http://www.nytimes.com/2004/01/09/opinion/09ABRA.html

And in some respects, the dangers of a guest worker program in the United States are graver than they were in Europe. Germany, the Benelux countries, Scandinavia and other European host countries had and still have very strong labor unions. Those strong unions were able to make certain that guest workers were not used by employers to depress wages. By contrast, American labor unions are weak to nonexistent in most segments of the labor market.

In addition, President Bush has clearly expressed his intention to put employers in charge: guest workers will be selected by employers and will be able to remain in the United States only so long as they stay with the employer who brought them. This is a sure recipe not only for the exploitation of these "guests" but also for the depression of American wages generally, especially among those who can least afford it ? many of them immigrants.

[lovedems]

1. Finally someone calling it what it is.... Exploitation so business can

profit.

[SharonAnn]

2. Sure, it's a type of slavery. Businesses need slaves.

They don['t want employees who have any rights. They want slaves and this is the closest thing they can get.

[tom_paine]

4. At least until the Busheviks get done with their plans for us

At which point WE will be the slaves and the guest workers will be shown the door.

[Beetwasher]

3. Guest Worker=Indentured Servant

"What's that? You don't want to work weekends and holidays??? You don't want to pick up my dry cleaning? How dare you! Back to Mexico for you!"