Utah leaders acknowledge immigrants' contribution to state's economy

[JHan]

An analysis of cost vs contribution.

This is why presidents have largely kept silent on this, and why immigration reform makes sense.

-“We need a steady workforce of people willing to do this work,” Utah farmer says.

-Utah immigrants pay $1.2 billion taxes and have about $4 billion in spending power per year.

-They account for 8.6 percent of the state population, running businesses that provide jobs for more than 31,000 people, and they have a reputation of entrepreneurship and special skills.

They also support the agriculture, construction and restaurant industries, by taking many jobs that others do not want.

http://www.sltrib.com/news/4966627-155/utah-leaders-acknowledge-immigrants-contribution-to?fullpage=1

[guillaumeb]

1. Recommended.

Also from the article:

Jake Harward, who owns a farm in Utah, says he employs about 40 workers seasonally to plant and harvest the crops he sells each summer, and even though he posts the jobs in four different states, he has only had a handful of applicants from the U.S. in the last 10 years.

Farmer Harward does not say what he pays his workers. Many of these employers do not pay a living wage, often explaining that paying a living wage would be bad for business. Bad for business meaning bad for their personal wealth accumulation.

[JHan]

2. Yep, that is the travesty. We don't realise that incorporating them in the economy..

forces business to pay them an adequate wage.

[guillaumeb]

3. And Democrats should frame it that way.

The talk should always be of requiring employers to pay a living wage. Not a minimum wage, but a living wage.

[JHan]

5. agreed but with a couple caveats..

A true living wage- adjusted to inflation - would be around 24 dollars per hour. There's benefit to wages guided by legislative fiat but that shouldn't be the emphasis - not all businesses would be able to manage in those circumstances. Rather we should look at incentivizing growth.

As for undocumented workers, because they're not under full protection by law, exploitation is all too easy for predatory business owners.

[guillaumeb]

6. Undocumented workers are the preferred choice for many business owners.

They are less likely to complain, wage theft is more likely to be committed against the undocumented, and more reasons.

[GentryDixon]

4. These are the same people who vote Republican

because their Momma, Daddy & Grandparents voted that way. The "Church" has a great deal of influence on these people. It is Republican all the way, regardless of consequences. Until it hits them in the pocketbook they don't consider it an issue.

[Wellstone ruled]

7. Oh how I agree.

One step further,knowing some of these so called employers,they will screw these workers six ways to Sunday. Such Hypocrite's.