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Workers and their Families Suffer Immigration Raids


Against Wage-Labour

Thu, 31 Jul 2008 17:19:00

Approximately 3,000 demonstrators took to the streets in Postville Iowa, a number greater than the actual population of this small town in Iowa, United States, supporting the workers who, back in May 2008 were arrested and charged with identity theft – using false documentation in employment - during the largest single immigration raid of the kosher meat processing plant Agriprocessors. Almost 400 workers were detained in the nearby fairgrounds which were rented by U.S.

Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials, and now face imprisonment and forced deportation.  Many of the workers are from Guatemala, Mexico, Israel, the Ukraine and others.

Agriprocessors, America’s largest kosher meat manufacturer was reputed for its treatment of workers which includes dangerous working conditions, child labour and below minimum wages.  This company similar to many hire undocumented workers as they can get away with paying lower wages amidst inhumane working conditions.  Furthermore, now the families continue to be separated as the workers face deportation or prison.  Children are not attending public school out of fear as their parents are either detained or in hiding.  Some workers have already been deported with their children left behind in Iowa with the other parent.

The situation of migrant workers is a global disaster, many workers leaving their country of residence, leaving their families or with families in tow arriving at the lowest paying jobs.  These migrant workers conveniently are invisible, as their access to public education, health care, and their basic needs is limited to nil.  Most countries openly invite migrant labourers by way of federal programs which limit their access to the above-mentioned necessities of life while pay is low.  Everyone is happy – the government and the employers – except for the workers.  At the same time this is occurring many workers are working ‘illegally’ being subjected to dangerous working conditions, paltry wages, in addition to their isolation in a foreign land without benefits.     

 

 

 




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