Immigrants Describe Unsafe Work

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Immigrants Describe Unsafe Work

By FREDERIC J. FROMMER

Associated Press Writer

Originally published February 27, 2002, 6:33 PM EST

WASHINGTON -- At a hearing Wednesday overflowing with foreign-born and

Hispanic laborers, senators heard about workers who have fallen to their

deaths, been exposed to toxic chemicals and toiled on farms without access

to drinking water or bathrooms.

" We are treated like garbage, " said You Di Liao, who told the Senate Health

subcommittee on employment, safety and training that she worked 14 hours a

day at a New York garment sweatshop before losing her job because of an

injury. Liao, speaking Chinese through a translator, urged Congress to ban

mandatory overtime that some companies require.

Sen. Wellstone chaired the hearing, which was to gather information on

workplace conditions for immigrant workers. He said too often such workers

are considered expendable.

" Disposable -- I can't tell you how many times I've heard this sentiment

expressed, " said Wellstone, D-Minn. " This is truly unacceptable. "

Henshaw, assistant labor secretary for the Occupational Safety and

Health Administration, testified that immigrants and Hispanic workers

account for a disproportionate share of workplace fatalities. He said OSHA

has been trying to reach out to Spanish-speaking workers to cut down on

deaths and injuries.

Newsday reporter Maier, who wrote a five-part series on the subject

for the Long Island newspaper last year, said the 10-month investigation

revealed that hundreds of immigrant worker deaths are never investigated.

" America's immigrant workers are the lowest-paid and the least protected, "

he said. Maier's series included the deaths of two young men from El

Salvador at the same garbage recycling plant on Long Island. One fell 20

feet from atop a sorting machine; the other plunged into an uncovered,

unmarked manhole.

Advocates also described vulnerable immigrant farm workers.

Arturo , president of the United Farm Workers of America, said farm

workers face increased risk for cancer, which he blamed on pesticides. And

he noted federal law exempts employers of 10 or fewer workers from providing

toilets, hand-washing facilities or drinking water.

Sharon , executive vice president of the National Council of

Agricultural Employers, said most farms provide those facilities anyway.

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On the Net: OSHA: http://www.osha.gov/

United Farm Workers of America: http://www.ufw.org/

National Council of Agricultural Employers: http://www.agemployers.org/

Copyright © 2002, The Associated Press