Thread: New Law Protects Illegal Migrant Workers

http://www.startribune.com/stories/587/5537981.html
Last update: August 1, 2005 at 11:48 PM

New law protects migrant workers
Patricia Lopez, Star Tribune

Among the unexpected victors of the 2005 legislative session have been migrant workers, who won the right to seek stiffer penalties against employers who fail to pay promised wages and benefits.

Under a state law that took effect Monday, employers who recruit migrant workers from outside Minnesota must provide a written contract that sets out a job description, working conditions, wages and benefits.

Employers who violate the contract could be fined $500, in addition to being required to reimburse unpaid wages and benefits.

In addition, employers must now pay severance wages within two days of terminating employment or risk having to pay double wages from the day the job ended until payment is made.

Chela Velasquez, who came to Minnesota from Texas as a migrant worker in 2002, said the new law would protect the rights of migrants.

"Now employers are going to respect contracts signed with workers, and people will be happier at work because their rights will be respected," said Velasquez, a member of the migrant group Centro Campesino.

Rep. Karen Clark, DFL-Minneapolis, a sponsor of the bipartisan legislation, said the law was "a matter of justice and fairness."

Migrant workers play an increasing role in the state's economy, she said. "This law protects their rights to earn a decent wage and receive what's promised to them by business recruiters."