Hiring illegals instead of teens

Newsday ^ | 7/23/2005 | Charles V. Zehren

[4.1O dana super trac pak]

The uncomfortable reality, as Andrew Sum sees it, is that there's a direct link between the steep national decline in teen employment rates and the growing practice of businesses hiring illegal immigrants and paying them off the books.

Sum is the director of the Center for Labor Market Studies at Northeastern University and lead author of a widely cited nationwide study projecting teen employment will continue to fall, with a drop to 36.7 percent this summer from 45 percent in 2000. That puts it at or near its lowest level since the data series began in 1948, despite a strengthening economy and improving overall labor market.

"The immigrant increase in employment is overwhelming. Every net new job created is taken by an immigrant. I know that's shocking, but that's the truth," Sum said offering his sober assessment. "It happened in Massachusetts and New York in the 1990s, and now its happening in the country as a whole."

That's not to say the sole reason teens are getting squeezed out is that businesses are breaking the rules, going underground and hiring unskilled immigrant labor.

It's always been the case that some high school kids might not get work because they are lazy, lack initiative, face racism, need contacts, don't have a car or can afford to do something else because they have rich parents.

'snip'

But what has Sum particularly intrigued and concerned is the undeniable evidence that more American businesses are opting to expand profits and remain competitive by hiring low-cost undocumented workers instead of paying taxes, workers' compensation and even rudimentary health benefits for legal workers. "I haven't seen anything like this in 25 years," Sum said.

[4.1O dana super trac pak]

First job: pushing grocery carts for $3.35 an hour in the Summer of 82.

Still have a paystub in the drawer.

[cripplecreek]

Sounds like the minimum wage law gave you a screwin.

[Smarti Pants]

You know what? I've been known to pay more money for a better product. My mother taught me from a young age that you aren't saving any money if you buy the cheaper product and you end up throwing it away.

I think it's great that people like you insist on legals as opposed to the illegals. Trouble is, when the illegals are capable of producing fake IDs, fake social security cards, etc., we're all in trouble. Take a look at the schools here & the closed emergency rooms. We just can't absorb the extra costs involved with them.

[ken21]

your response probably depends on what part of the country you live in, and how much money you make.


i grew up on a farm, so the work ethic i'm familiar with. most teens worked when i was a kid. there are many like-minded parents today who want their kids to work.

but, in california there's a lot of money. i know many kids that don't work. i cited bill handel's remark because it is indicative of that affluent mindset which looks down upon flipping burgers.

another issue in california is that many jobs are now bi-lingual; you must speak spanish in order to succeed there.

[EverOnward]

Teens don't just work for gas money. There are many who must pay their way through college -- or would like to.

[Inyo-Mono]

First job: paper boy for $20 a month, age 10 in 1960.

Still have my first dollar (actually a $2 bill).

[4.1O dana super trac pak]

That might be worth more than two bucks now.

Actually I was a paperboy first, but that job is done by adults now, flinging papers from the cars.

[4.1O dana super trac pak]

Well, 3.35 an hour met my 15 year old needs.

[cripplecreek]

I was lucky to work for farmers who paid us what they thought we were worth. Some guys didn't make as much and some days they paid us a buck extra per hour for working when it was extra hot.

[Lijahsbubbe]

I understand what you're saying.

As for the lazy American teen bunk, all of our kids did labor jobs as teens. Dishwashing, kitchen work, emptying trash etc.

In fact, I was the one who complained that they could find another job that wasn't such hard work.

I was at a grocery store awhile back when a lady had her purse stolen from her shopping cart.

I heard yelling and looked up to see ALOT of the young men who worked in the store chasing the thief. Even going so far as to hang on to the car door handle.

I hate it when people stereotype our American teens. It's the typical America bashers who do that.

[Smarti Pants]

You're so right!! There are so many young people today who have such incredible character and great ethics.

It's nice to hear stories of what they do - I love hearing about our military "kids" - just goes to show that there are some really wonderful people in our country who know about raising kids - despite some of the other horror stories the MSM keep feeding the masses!

[A. Pole]

[...] nationwide study projecting teen employment will continue to fall, with a drop to 36.7 percent this summer from 45 percent in 2000. That puts it at or near its lowest level since the data series began in 1948, despite a strengthening economy and improving overall labor market.

Free trade bump.

[A. Pole]

When I was a teenager I worked on a dairy farm during the summers. In 1982 $5 an hour was good money for a highschool kid.

Now I see teenagers/college students working for FREE so they can get job experience. Soon they will have to pay for it.

[wardaddy]

It is difficult no doubt.

Genuine subs who promise all legal do try and if they find someone who is not legal...they fire them.

One can usually tell if the crew is black or peckerwood although there are a few legal hispanics. I believe in Tenn, they estimate that at least hlf of all Hispanics are illegal...

[Lijahsbubbe]

I love hearing about our military "kids"

Great point. Here are some really young ones.

American kids are the best! WE LOVE YOU TROOPS!!!

Marine Lt. Col. Eric Tranter poses with the graduation class of the Miami Valley Young Marines May 12 in Huber Heights, Ohio. (Photo courtesy of the Young Marines)

[gubamyster]

ping

[Normal4me]

I am about to start a big construction job on Aug 1st. I met with the GC last week and told him I needed 4 experienced guys and a few laborers. I got no experienced guys yet (though I am head hunting) and I talked to four entry level guys all just out of high school. One wanted $15 an hour to start, one insisted he only work in air conditioning, two didn't have drivers licenses, one was only available after 10 am.

Times have changed huh?

[antaresequity]

I hate it when people stereotype our American teens.

Your guilty of sterotyping by casting such a broad net in assuming they 'all' should cant be sterotyped.

How many people do you employ? I can personally attest to the fact that the average teenager is worthless in manual labor...pussies one and all...

[MNJohnnie]

I would not put too much faith in this article. Below are some additional quotes from the story. Seem to me this is Hysteric Leftist political propaganda dressed up as a "news" report. If you want to get honest data I would go here

http://stats.bls.gov/


The facts on employment do not match the "Data" being "reported" in this "newstory"


That's not to say the sole reason teens are getting squeezed out is that businesses are breaking the rules, going underground and hiring unskilled immigrant labor.

"It's always been the case that some high school kids might not get work because they are lazy, lack initiative, face racism, need contacts, don't have a car or can afford to do something else because they have rich parents.

Other empirical factors cited by Sum include recent reductions in government-sponsored employment programs and the "age twist," the historically unprecedented influx of workers 55 and older into the job market, which may be a function of downsizing, forced retirements, spouses' having to work and the cost of health care."