Thread: NC: Labor Dept. investigating substandard migrant housing

http://www.charlotte.com/mld/observer/15569631.htm

Posted on Thu, Sep. 21, 2006

Labor Dept. investigating substandard migrant housing
Associated Press

CURRIE - The state Labor Department is investigating whether an agriculture company provided substandard housing to as many as 40 migrants hired to pick tomatoes in Eastern North Carolina.

Stained mattresses leaning against concrete walls and a roach-infested grime-streaked refrigerator were found at the former "Jamaican American Club" in Currie, north of Wilmington. Investigators say the workers were crowded into the space with no hot water, no shower and too few beds. They say whoever provided the housing violated a state law aimed at protecting migrant farm workers from living in those conditions.

State investigators said they are trying to find the landlords and the labor contractors who hire, supervise and arrange the workers' housing.

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http://www.charlotte.com/mld/observer/15569333.htm

Housing for migrant workers is subject of state agency's probe

CURRIE

The state Labor Department is investigating whether substandard housing was provided to as many as 40 migrants hired to pick tomatoes in Eastern North Carolina.

Stained mattresses leaning against concrete walls and a roach-infested, grime-streaked refrigerator were found at the former "Jamaican American Club" in Currie, north of Wilmington. Investigators say the workers were crowded into the space with no hot water, no shower and too few beds. They say whoever provided the housing violated a state law aimed at protecting migrant farm workers from living in those conditions.

The laborers worked for Ag-Mart. The company is not required to provide housing for seasonal workers and is not the focus of the investigation. Ag-Mart President Don Long said workers are paid an average of $9 an hour during harvest.

"Our people make good wages. They should be able to live where they want to live," Long said.

State investigators said they are trying to find the landlords and the labor contractors who hire, supervise and arrange the workers' housing. -- associated press

It was all over WUNC (NPR) yesterday. Not one word about
being here illegally. I suppose migrant is the euphemism on
national people's radio.

What greed does! Now parts of N.C. are going after the Chinese to build plants in certain cities so the citizens have a job, since N.C. lost so many and went overseas!

Just my opinion, I know people need to work, but I surely do not think bringing Chinese plants here is the answer!

Why not, the Chinese are financing Karl Rove's tax cuts?