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Originally Posted by Alex Stroup
They should be paid more (and thus pay more taxes) and a system should be created to bring all workers above-board, but when you enter a country illegally they can't really bitch out not getting the full benefits.
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This is exactly why Cesar Chavez was so against the illegal migrant worker. Illegal workers drive the cost of labor down. And as far as paying more taxes, a huge porportion of illegal labor is paid under the table.
We have a rather comical situation in Phoenix. The city council voted to spend money to build several air conditioned labor centers that provided water and restroom facilities to "day laborers" (read "illegal aliens"). I have one a few miles from my home. There were known spots that people who needed day labor could go and hire them, but the businesses they were hanging out in front of were getting mad.
Well, the day laborers decided to organize and accept no less than $8/hour for any job.
Competition for these jobs is at a premium. If a truck pulls up, it is mobbed by the first 40 or 50 that can get to it. So several of the day laborers figured they could get more work by not going to the day labor center and undercutting and working for $6 or $7 an hour.
Eventually, the day labor center near my home became completely abandoned. If you went there, you couldn't get work, because those looking to hire knew they could get cheaper labor elsewhere. So the city of Phoenix lost money building the centers, the businesses were again angry, and the attempt to get a very modest $8/hour was foiled by those new to the day labor scene who were willing to work for less.
The influx of illegals will ensure that that wages remain low because there is a glut of illegal labor, at least here in Phoenix.