An article in the LA Times in May showed the stupidity of the problem. People can’t connect point A to point B. They rail on illegal immigration but then drive to the corner by home depot looking for someone to do day labor work for $5/hr. not noticing that’s the root of the problem.
The article was about a Government Landscaping Contractor. Couldn’t find legal residents to do the jobs at $34/hr. Of course, those required experience. Luckily, since the Government sets the payment rate, entry level, literally, ditch digger, grunt labor, was $18/hr. the problem was, any non-government contract work at competitor companies is $8-9/hr.
Hence, the owner was too dumb to draw the line to the fact that illegal workers drove down the entry level work, hard physical work in the Cali-sun to be on par with what our kids can make in McDonald’s. Hence, no legal residents with experience to fill her $34/hr. crew supervisor job. And no takers on the entry level jobs becuase most look at it, know it’s hard work, and see 90% of the companies paying $8/hr. Here’s the link http://www.latimes.com/search/la-fi-jobs18may18,0,970169.story
As for the workers wanting $20/hr. Well, people don’t have to pay it. Or counter with show me your contractors license, you’re bonded right? But it is a two way street. How much should they make for doing Joe & Jane Suburbia’s physical work of clearing brush, installing pavers, painting etc. ?
