LogFAQs > #910290529

ImTheMacheteGuy posted...

I saw something where some farm in Alabama lost all its workers because there was a crackdown on illegals and they all peaced out to find a safer area to live. The only other workers they could get were prison inmates and they all just fucked around all day.

Granted this was vice so not the most reliable source... still, it makes sense.

there have been various efforts by various different entities to induce americans into doing farm labor, particularly in the wake of the great recession when joblessness was high

it's not happening. look at labor force participation rates. listen to those who are sitting out and why they are sitting out. it becomes incredibly obvious why americans won't do the work if you do that.

It would be nice if we could talk about it without it being so hyperpartisan, because it's actually an interesting observation about why wages are so 'sticky.' Not directly about farm work, but very relevant to the topic:

http://www.hup.harvard.edu/catalog.php?content=reviews&isbn=9780674009431

but basically I'd argue that immigrants and americans just have very different expectations with respect to their labor market outcomes. those who have yet to enter the labor market see no reason to do migrant farm work because there is no upward mobility. those who are currently out of work don't want to do it because it'd be a paycut compared to the coal mining job they used to do that's never coming back.
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