LogFAQs > #884465292

Corrik posted...

red sox 777 posted...

Farm owners are so used to the low wages they pay that they refuse to pay the higher wages demanded by American workers. Going from $10/hr to $20/hr (which is probably where you'd need farm labor wages to be to attract Americans) is a 100% increase. Plus, they'll have to provide health insurance, a matching social security contribution, and if Americans are injured on the job, they are ready to sue. In total, we're probably looking at a 150% increase to costs, minimum.

And, I'm not sure $20/hr is enough. You can make almost as much driving an Uber, which is vastly more pleasant. It's driving around in a nice air-conditioned car vs. backbreaking labor in the hot sun.

Now, if we don't allow illegal immigrants to do the farm jobs, eventually wages will stabilize at a rate Americans will accept, once farm owners adapt to the new reality (with a big cut to their profit margins). Or, if they cannot turn a profit at any wage acceptable to Americans, then the farms will mechanize or shut down. If more mechanization is too expensive, we'll end up cutting our farm production and exporting less food. If it's extreme enough a shift, we might become a net importer of food.

Most uber drivers make minimum wage or lose money.

Lose money for tax purposes or actually have negative cash flow?

I mean, I guess the vehicle cost will eat the profits.
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September 1, 2003; November 4, 2007; September 2, 2013
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