:: rawblogXport ::

:: Sunday, March 14, 2004 ::

Mexican worker deaths rise sharply Justin Pritchard, AP
Why is all this happening?

Public safety officials and workers themselves say the answer comes down to this: Mexicans are hired to work cheap, the fewer questions the better.
They may be thrown into jobs without training or safety equipment. Their objections may be silent if they speak no English. Those here illegally, fearful of attracting attention, can be reluctant to complain. And their work culture and Third World safety expectations don't discourage extra risk-taking.

Simple precautions would save many lives, government records show. 'Was not using any type of fall protection,' concludes a government report on one worker who fell 150 feet. Says another report: 'Untrained worker ... operated the equipment.' Another: 'Procedure was patently unsafe.'

Program will train Hispanic carpenters By Peggy Kreimer, The Kentucky Post
Beginning carpenter's helpers with little or no experience make about $8 an hour for residential carpentry work. Apprentices usually start at $12 to $13 an hour, Enzweiler said. In this region, commercial work is done by union carpenters who make higher union pay scales, but residential work is non-union, Enzweiler said.

The training program for Hispanics is a pre-apprentice program. But once they master the language, they will qualify for the apprentice program that Home Builders offers in carpentry, electricity or heating and cooling.

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