AP: Illegal Workers Face Hardship in Big Easy

[Eugene]

Illegal Workers Face Hardship in Big Easy


Tuesday June 6, 2006 10:01 PM

AP Photo LAWH107

By RUKMINI CALLIMACHI

Associated Press Writer

NEW ORLEANS (AP) - Illegal immigrants helping to rebuild this shattered city are working
in hazardous conditions without protective gear and earning far less than their legal
counterparts, a study says.

Nearly one-third of the illegal immigrants interviewed by researchers reported working
with harmful substances and in dangerous conditions, while 19 percent said they were not
given any protective equipment, according to the study by professors at Tulane University
and the University of California at Berkeley.

Illegal immigrants also were paid significantly less - if at all - earning on average $10
per hour, compared with $16.50 for documented workers, the study said.

<snip>

Census data indicates nearly 100,000 Hispanics moved to the Gulf Coast region following
Hurricane Katrina, lured by promises of high wages and plentiful work. It is unclear
precisely how many have come to New Orleans, though the study estimates one-quarter
of the construction workers in New Orleans are illegal immigrants.

<snip>

Full article: http://www.guardian.co.uk/worldlatest/story/0,,-5868670,00.html

[FreakinDJ]

1. Who needs to repeal the Davis Bacon act

with stats like that