Georgia's labor shortage
31/5/11 18:18![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png){kind=small}
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talkpoliticshttp://www.ajc.com/news/georgia-politics-elections/farmers-tie-labor-shortage-958782.html
Ah, ironies never cease. Apparently Georgia had passed a tough new immigration bill similar to the one in Arizona. As a result many migrants have refused to work there for the upcoming harvest, and the result could cost farmers hundreds of millions and add to a growing food shortage.
Here's the irony, this whole thing has gone on to prove one point that many make against tougher anti-immigrant laws: many of the jobs taken by illegal immigrants are those most Americans won't do. Despite a 9.9% unemployment rate in Georgia they still can't find enough people to do the work, both because it's temporary and because it's difficult work.
On the flip side it also seems to enforce the conservative stereotype of the unemployed not wanting to find work, however I think this is because a flaw in our unemployment benefit system. If someone is on unemployment there is no incentive for them to take short-term work, many fear they will lose their benefits and not be able to get them back if they work short-term. Not sure how true this fear is, I think it depends on what state they're in and the pay/length of employment with their previous job.
It may feel good to go after those pesky illegals who took your jerbs, but maybe one should consider all the factors before taking their frustrations out on Chuy.
Ah, ironies never cease. Apparently Georgia had passed a tough new immigration bill similar to the one in Arizona. As a result many migrants have refused to work there for the upcoming harvest, and the result could cost farmers hundreds of millions and add to a growing food shortage.
Here's the irony, this whole thing has gone on to prove one point that many make against tougher anti-immigrant laws: many of the jobs taken by illegal immigrants are those most Americans won't do. Despite a 9.9% unemployment rate in Georgia they still can't find enough people to do the work, both because it's temporary and because it's difficult work.
On the flip side it also seems to enforce the conservative stereotype of the unemployed not wanting to find work, however I think this is because a flaw in our unemployment benefit system. If someone is on unemployment there is no incentive for them to take short-term work, many fear they will lose their benefits and not be able to get them back if they work short-term. Not sure how true this fear is, I think it depends on what state they're in and the pay/length of employment with their previous job.
It may feel good to go after those pesky illegals who took your jerbs, but maybe one should consider all the factors before taking their frustrations out on Chuy.
