Only government can take perfectly good paper, cover it with perfectly good ink and make the combination worthless.
Milton FriedmanRead
I know firsthand that many employers who comply with other labor standards still hire the undocumented. Many businesses pay the minimum wage and have barely tolerable working conditions because there are sufficient undocumented workers willing to accept those terms. If we care about low-income workers in this country, we need to create pressure to improve their economic condition by reducing the supply of unauthorized workers.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote highlights the exploitation of undocumented workers in low-wage jobs and the need for reform to improve their conditions.
Maria Echaveste's quote emphasizes the plight of undocumented workers who are often subjected to poor wages and working conditions. She argues that while some employers may meet certain labor standards, they exploit the presence of undocumented workers who are willing to accept these unfavorable terms. To genuinely improve the economic situation of low-income workers in the country, it is essential to address the supply of unauthorized workers, as it perpetuates a cycle of exploitation. This calls for collective action to advocate for better labor conditions and fair wages.
Themes
Undocumented WorkersLabor StandardsExploitationMinimum WageEconomic Justice
In practice
Example use cases
In a discussion about immigration policies and labor rights, this quote can be used to illustrate the situation of undocumented workers.
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