Pretty simplistic. There are conditions where there is no supply. I had an experience in 91 of advertising for a secretary at $6.00/hr and getting 100 applicants. Four years later I needed a secretary and went without for months. Advertising and listing with agencies brought no applicants. Finally, I got one through a referral and paid a lot. That's how much conditions can change in a labor market.
SJackson: If illegal migrant workers are available, legal migrant workers will be available. They'll just cost more.ClaireSolt: Pretty simplistic. There are conditions where there is no supply. I had an experience in 91 of advertising for a secretary at $6.00/hr and getting 100 applicants. Four years later I needed a secretary and went without for months. Advertising and listing with agencies brought no applicants. Finally, I got one through a referral and paid a lot. That's how much conditions can change in a labor market.
Simplistic, I suppose, it’s high school economics, at best. If there’s a labor shortage, you pay more. That increases the supply.
You have growers employing illegal immigrants as we speak.
Legal immigrant labor is also available, but at higher cost.
Are you really suggesting that if a grower approaches one of his illegal workers as says next year, we’re getting you a visa, I’m doubling your pay, and paying for your housing while you work for me the illegal is going to say, No Sir! I prefer things the way they are. I like looking over my shoulder for the INS. Besides, how much can an unskilled worker like myself spend.. Any illegal immigrant would be happy to work legally, particularly for what will likely be higher pay.
This isn’t about availability of labor, it’s about the cost of labor. Which is cheaper when obtained outside the law.
When you needed a secretary, did you consider offering to pay her “off the books” in cash. Sure, you would have been violating tax and labor laws, but it might have been cheaper. Independent of illegal labor, there’s an underground economy that operates that way. That’s what growers who employ illegals are doing.