Introduction
The story depicted by the film ‘The Guest worker’ begs the question; what would make a person leave a happy family back in their country and come to work in a foreign place, especially in conditions that are not that friendly?
Immigration of workers especially from Mexico to the United States is such a common phenomenon and it gives rise to a variety of questions that beg for answers.
This paper will deal with the issue of guest worker programs, how and when they started; the effects they have on domestic workers; how the program affects unauthorized immigration; and finally how different policies are to be considered with such programs present.
Background
The story of farm workers dates back to as far as 1909, when the first agreements were signed off (Levine 6). After the Second World War when cheap and free labor was required, another agreement was signed in the year 1942 and it lasted to the year 1964 and this is what is called the ‘Bracero program’ (Levine 6).
In the year 1952, the H2-A program was started, even before the ‘Bracero program’ ended, with the purpose to recruit foreign workers for a seasonal time (Levine 6).
In later times, the H2- A temporary visa program was established in the year 1986 in order to regulate the numbers of laborers coming into the United States, which requires both the laborers and prospective employers to meet some specific requirements and also to ensure that the work force in the United States is not undermined (Levine 2).
Don Candelario pays to be part of the program in order to avoid being an “undocumented worker” which of course led to his previous arrests.
The need for a Guest worker program
The Guest workers are normally brought from their home countries to provide their services and are then taken back without necessarily becoming citizens of the U.S. (Guest worker 6).
Don Candelario has been one such regular visitor year in year out as he comes to work in the U.S. farms since the year 1960. The reason the local farmers resort to them is the cheap labor they offer (Guest worker 7).
It is reported that farmers intend to keep the production costs less by minimizing the wages in order for the food prices to also remain less, a concept which different studies has refuted by proposing that even doubling the wages of these workers will not increase food costs significantly (Guest worker 7).
This program is very advantageous especially to the farmers since it ensures that there is a constant supply of labor during all times of the year (Guest worker 6).
On the side of those who opt to work as Guest workers, what makes them leave their happy families and come to work in deplorable conditions?
Don Candelario from the film is clearly left with little options for employment especially in his own country and it is his bid to survival or to at least sustain his family that forces him to look for work elsewhere.
This is the untold common story of many other workers who sacrifice their happiness with their families in order to earn a living.
Effects of the Guest worker program
There are pros and cons of this program to both the farmers and foreign workers. Those in support of the program recognized the fact that the local workers did not want to indulge in the farm work since they considered it as undesirable; hence only workers like Don Candelario who had no alternative jobs would willing take up such jobs (Guest worker 13).
It is even said that with an increase in wages for the local workers, they would still opt out of the farm work (Levine 4); which really means that there are not much options other than to employ the foreign workers.
One U.S representative attributed the program to the “push” (Guest worker 14) and “pull” forces: where the push factors are things like “unemployment, poverty, hunger…” etc and the pull factors are the enticements of job opportunities available in the U.S.
Others also proposed that the program would provide better working conditions, better wages and they will enjoy their freedom since the program is legal (Guest worker 14).
Don Candelario is faced with the hard circumstance of a sick wife and a family which is wholly dependent on him; hence a guest worker program is highly welcome if it provides for his family. Some current extremists say that “without access to foreign labor, crops could not be harvested” (Levine 4) which will in turn lead to a decrease in local production.
Before its start in the 1986, many people from the congress differed with those who supported the program. The following were some of the cited reasons for the opposition: increasing guest workers decreases the chance of employing domestic workers; it increased cases of “illegal migration”; common cases of ill-treatment of the foreign workers; reduction of wages for local workers since foreign workers provide cheaper labor (Guest worker 15).
Another argument that has been presented is that since guest workers are primarily focused on just obtaining their wages; then local workers who are in the field of work will not have their “working conditions and labor-saving technologies” (Levine 4) improved.
It is for some of these reasons that amendments are being continuously proposed to ensure that the program benefits everyone in one way or the other.
Another major effect as analyzed in the article by Levine is the “Economic theory” (Levine 6). This theory analyzed the wages given to workers and the number of workers employed (Levin 5).
It was concluded that the wages level decreased with an increased number of guest workers, which also means that employment for domestic workers also decreases as that of the foreigners increases, and this is known as the “displacement effect” (Levine 6).
As earlier mentioned, with a decrease in wages, the domestic/local workers will definitely look for jobs elsewhere with better pay. Though a lot of good is being done to the foreign workers, it leaves the local people wondering, what next?
Immigration issues
With increased guest workers, there is also the issue of immigration which comes to the forefront. A lot of Mexican workers have been deported time and time again since they have been found without legal documents.
Don Candelario experienced this, having to go to jail at least three times and always on the run against authorities.
Statistics concerning illegal migrants are overwhelming and vary in numbers, although one showed that: “in March 2004 the number was 10.3 million, in 2005 11.1 million and in 2006, the number was 11.5-12 million” (Bruno 10).
This is definitely of concern especially if there is a legal way of people obtaining employment yet they still prefer to come to the U.S. as ‘undocumented workers’.
A surprising factor is that some of these illegal immigrants are not even in the country to work, but they have just shifted their residence from their original countries.
Those who work do not only seek authorization in the agricultural sector, but also other areas including the food industry, construction sites, household work etc (Bruno 12).
A concern arising as a result of the immigration issue would be those workers who came in legally through the program but at the end of their time, they refuse to leave; though others see the program as a means of providing legalization of entry (Bruno 12).
The government is heavily involved in this matter of ‘unauthorized immigration’ and as such, efforts are being made to reform the H2-A program.
For example, in the 108th Congress, bills were presented to make changes to the H2-A program and also to introduce other new guest worker programs (Bruno 14). Among the issues discussed include: the effect of these program to the agricultural industry, to the domestic workers and also about border security (Bruno 14).
The Way Forward
Over time, many things are to be taken into consideration especially if other programs are to be introduced (Bruno 34). The following policy issues are to be discussed in detail as regard to reforms and new program introductions: comparison of existing and proposed programs; “eligible population”, for instance who should take part in such programs; “legalization of program participants” (Bruno 34-39), whether or not the guest workers should obtain the Lawful Permanent Resident, LPR, status; “treatment of family members” (Bruno 34-39); “labor market test” (Bruno 34-39) are to be carried out; the “numerical limits”; enforcement” (Bruno 34-39), how the program will be put in action; “homeland security” (Bruno 34-39).
Conclusion
In light of the entire guest worker program, the foreigners are definitely benefiting but to some extent, at the expense of the domestic workers. Unauthorized immigration is a serious issue and thus it is up to the government to ensure that even as U.S farmers are supplied with labor, the population of the country is not dominated by illegal immigrants.
Works Cited
Bruno, Andorra. Immigration: Policy Considerations Related to Guest Worker Programs. FPC, 2006. Web.
Guest worker. The Guest worker. The Guest Worker, 2007. Web.
Levine, Linda. The Effects on U.S Farm Workers of an Agricultural Guest Worker Program.Nationalaglawcentre, 2009. Web.