FAIRFAX, Va. – The Washington Post reported today that a Fairfax County, Va. comprehensive survey found that many day laborers doing temporary work for landscaping, construction and janitorial companies make above the federal minimum wage of $5.15 an hour but experience significant on-the-job abuse from employers.
About 200 day laborers were interviewed in 2003 for the survey, which reveals that close to one in three day laborers earn more than $10 at these jobs. However, 84 percent said that they have had problems with their employers. Among the most frequently cited offenses was a lack of breaks, lower pay than agreed upon and in some cases not being paid at all. Other problems included robbery, police harassment and violence.
Most respondents were Hispanic immigrants with the largest group from the Honduras, followed by El Salvador. Many said that inability to speak English and a lack of immigration documents has kept them from permanent employment.
Local officials say the survey provides valuable demographic data that would help policymakers make future decisions regarding day laborers.