
THE INVISIBLE WORKERS OF UTAH
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Hi, my name is Luis Valentán and I'm fundraising for a group of workers in Utah to provide winter jackets and clothing. Below is a recent article by Gloria Arredondo that provides more context into the experiences of day laborers in Utah.
"Utah has a big problem with people living or working in precarious situations. Such as; those who live outdoors on the edges of the city and the day laborers who ask for work on the sidewalks of the Home Depots in Salt Lake County.
In the case of hundreds of immigrant day laborers, a large majority of Mexicans, while they wait every day to find a job, they are suffering greatly. Many of them do not speak English and are unaware of the laws of the country. By entering the parking lot of these stores, they risk being fined or arrested for trespassing on private property. Although by asking for a job they are exercising an inalienable civic and human right.
Despite this, it is well known that in some cities where this happens, there are those who call the authorities to remove these day laborers. The agents go so far as to give them fines of up to six hundred dollars. As expected, many of them do not show up to court out of fear and this results in arrest warrants. Resulting in an amazing paradox: that someone is considered a criminal simply for applying for a job.
Certainly, these day laborers are not only at risk of arrest or deportation in Utah. There are unscrupulous contractors and owners of landscaping, snow removal, etc. companies. They hire people to do very heavy work. They end up not paying the minimum wage established by law or hours worked, with documented cases of some not even paying their workers. It has been reported that some pay with alcohol.
Day laborers are exploited and abused because of their desperation to bring food home and support their families honestly, under the inclement weather. This, more than labor abuse, can be classified as human trafficking.
Of course, this problem is not new or exclusive to Utah: the same thing happened in California until the 'National Day Laborer Organizing Network' organization shed light and decided to confront the situation. Luis Valentan, one of its leaders, moved to Utah and is currently dedicated to raising people's awareness about this great problem. In addition to educating day laborers about labor laws and their rights in this country, he organizes them so that they do not suffer abuse and avoid disputes among themselves.
He also trains them so that they can get permanent jobs or be able to start their own businesses. This is hard work, it cannot be achieved with the work of a single individual.
To succeed, his initiative requires the effort and support of the entire community.
Today, Mr. Valentan is busy collecting jackets, boots, work clothes and food for these invisible workers. Christmas gifts are also needed for their children. If he has not yet found a social cause to take part in and do good, this is his opportunity to make a big difference in his community".
Organizer
Luis Valentan
Organizer
Salt Lake City, UT