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Saturday, November 24, 2007
Orange to consider more stringent day laborer rules
Officials to meet Tuesday to discuss proposal to curb problems
By ELLYN PAK
THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

Orange City officials will consider on Tuesday more stringent measures to curb problems attached to day laborers in the city.

The proposal: ban solicitation from sidewalks that are adjacent to streets without parking lanes; prohibit solicitation from private property with the owner's written permission; and ban solicitation while driving.

In addition, private property owners who wish to run job centers for laborers must get a conditional use permit through the Planning Commission.

In October, council members had reinstated a requirement for day laborers at the city-run Resource Center to provide two types of identification and fill out federal compliance forms. The following weeks after the action yielded a sharp decline in worker registration, and nearly 50 workers protested the new policy.

From Nov. 1 to 7, four workers per day were qualified to register for jobs through the Resource Center. Up to 16 workers showed up on certain days but were not able to provide adequate identification.

A proposal to require workers and employers to obtain permits was also discussed in October, but city staffers are now suggesting that this part of the proposal be implemented later, if needed.

The City Council will meet at 4:30 p.m. Tuesday at City Hall, 300 E. Chapman Ave. Information: 714-744-2225.

www.ocregister.com