Martin, Philip. "AgJOBS: New Solution or New Problem?." International Migration Review 37.4 (2003): 1282-1291. Academic Search Premier. EBSCO. Web. 6 Feb. 2011
The author of this article is trying to weigh the differences of whether or not a new program called AgJOBS will provide solutions or cause new problems in relation to immigration. Philip Martin states, "Depending on how the program is implemented, how workers and employers respond and whether unauthorized entry and employment continue(1283)."
AgJOBS was born in 2000. Its aim is to create a legal farm workforce, which its advocates assume will also ensure a higher-wage workforce. The program would allow migrant farm workers to gain temporary resident status if they meet certain requirements. Martin makes comparisons between AgJOBS and another program called H-2A, they both seem to have the same end result in mind, better pay and living conditions for migrant farm workers and to create a stable farm workforce. One of the problems seems to be that both programs who offer a chance at U.S. residency creates an influx of immigration thus flooding the farm work force and lowering wages.
The owners of agricultural business have had a heavy hand in dictating the programs brought to the table. They have amazing amounts of clout when it comes to legislation. An example is from the 1986 Immigration Reform and Control Act. It included employer sanctions to discourage unauthorized entry and employment. "U.S. Western crop farmers opposed this compromise, arguing that it did not acknowledge their unique dependence on unauthorized workers, and they would be unable to obtain workers in the flexible manner necessary for their "perishable agriculture"(1283)."
I wonder, how much of their disagreement has less to do with the ease in which they can find workers under these programs, but more to do with the legislation that requires farmers to pay a fair wage and provide housing and the costs that farmers incur because of the rules? But then I have more questions. How do those costs get carried over to the consumer? Do we as consumers feel that we are willing to pay a few cents more for food if it means another human being is getting paid a fair wage?
I do not feel this is an easy subject to draw a solid line through. There is government regulation on one side, and farmers making a living on the other, with migrant workers caught in the middle. I believe that farmers are making their decisions based on the bottom line, which unfortunately can equate to human beings not being afforded basic life needs. That is where I believe there is a need for strong legislation.
Hi Glenny:
ReplyDeleteI'm responding to both of your posts, along with your in-class freewrite, here. First, I appreciate the strong sources you found. Acquiring an understanding for the issues immigrants face, along with some of the statistics that loosely describe them as a community, is key for guiding future inquiry. In your free-write, you mention being curious about the stories of immigrants: their success stories, what they do after the HEP program, their motivations. I feel pursuing this angle-- through published interviews, case-studies, Youtube videos, whatever you can find-- could potentially be extremely valuable.
As regards the structure and form of your extended bibliography entries, you're definitely on the right track. The key is both to show what you're sources are saying, and then to respond meaningfully to them (both things that you are doing well). With this being said, I occasionally had difficulty following your posts. For example, I didn't quite understand the context of the first quote in this post. Putting a sentence or two after this quote, explaining to me what it means and how it relates to your own thinking, would have helped.
Otherwise, keep up the solid work! :)
Glenny The questions you developed from your source are great. The cost impact and how it would be distributed would weigh heavy on the consumer I think. I also can't help but pose the question how would the potential increase in pay effect the migrant workers and there families pursuit of education? Would a pay increase allow their families a little more flexibility in seeking higher education?
ReplyDeleteI also believe the sources you found will also tie in with mine, and our two blogs are shaping up to show not only the difficulties migrant workers face with gaining a higher level of education. But they are also showing a deeper underlying issue that I feel is the root of most of there difficulties and that being discrimination.
I also agree with Jeremy that the first portion of your writing needs something entered in the middle of it to make it easier to understand the point being made there, the text is clear but takes a couple re-reads to pull the guts of it out.
Travis: I think your question-- what effect would a pay increase have on migrants pursuit of education-- is an interesting one. You mention feeling that discrimination is a big hurdle for migrant workers and I can't help but feel this (possible) discrimination shows up in a number of interrelated ways: economic, cultural, social, and educational. Great thinking!
ReplyDelete