So Puerto Rico got devastated by a hurricane last year, and jobs are sparse for its residents (who are American citizens). No worries, Huron to the rescue;
By some counts, nearly 2,000 Puerto Ricans were leaving every day, and in that exodus, some mainland U.S. companies were starting to see an opportunity of their own — a new answer in their ever-evolving struggle to find workers who would perform lower-rung American jobs.
And if you think things were bad in Puerto Rico, welcome to poverty wages in SD;
Luque told them about the work — that it was repetitive, physical, “not always pretty.†He told them about the wages — $10.00 per hour, jumping soon after to $12 or $13. He said the company would fly them to South Dakota and slowly deduct the flight costs out of their paychecks.
They need workers so bad they can’t even pay for the flight cost. Funny how everyone in Pierre stands around with their fingers in their butts wondering why sales tax revenue is down, it’s simple math, if people don’t have money, they don’t spend money.
Puerto Rico people are exempt from federal income tax. Puerto Rico is not a state. If they keep a PO box there, they’ll live well here. It’s taxpayers who can’t afford to live in Huron.
“…..jumping soon after to $ 12 or $13.” Yah, and the “check is in the mail,” too.
Having them pay for their own flights, by having it deducted from their future paychecks, sounds like the tactics often used by human traffickers. I hope none of these people end up in the Bakken region, if you get my drift.
You would think here in Trumpland, that pro Trump Republican businessmen would prefer to pay local workers a living wage, instead of importing labor for their own self exploitation. But I guess not, huh? Because with this unique approach, Trump and his supporters can claim that illegal crossings, due to Trump’s tactics, are down, while incompetence in dealing with the PR hurricane (Thanks to Trump) gives his business friends a new vein of employees that are cheap, desperate, and here is the real kicker, legal…. how convenient.
Puerto Rico has had numerous chances to vote and become a state. They didn’t. They have full access to US travel and benefits but don’t pay taxes. I’ve been in PR customs lines through many shake downs. Puerto Rican’s walk around. Most are carrying drugs. I have no sympathy for them. Rebuild for hurricanes in Texas and Florida. Send only humanitarian aide to Puerto Rico.
EC – I thought the same thing. Take advantage of Puerto Rican cheap labor while they can, and the best part, no issues with immigration.
L3wis – Yep, they’re LEGAL!
The game plan is even further evident, isn’t it? Let’s give a small Montana electrical company the bid to replace the entire grid for the island of Puerto Rico and then use Puerto Ricans to fill in worker shortages in northern plain states that don’t pay their workers enough….. (Unbelievable…..)
This whole thing is merely indentured servitude, a Pullman Town mentality, and reminiscent of the book ‘The Jungle’ all wrapped into one, here in America, in the 21st century…. Welcome to the Age of Trump everyone!….
Mr. Spin – Puerto Ricans who are PERMANENT RESIDENTS there – are exempt from federal Income tax on wages EARNED IN PUERTO RICO – not on wages earned elsewhere – including countries outside the US. BTW – you’re racism is showing.