Thread: Advocates For Business, Workers Decry State Law Sanctioning

http://www.kold.com/Global/story.asp?S=6756599&nav=14RT

Advocates For Business, Workers Decry State Law Sanctioning Employers



By Jim Becker, KOLD News 13 Reporter
Posted 7-06-07

Supporters of the law want to weaken the economic incentive for border traffic.

However, advocates for businesses and workers say the new state law my weaken our economy.

Governor Janet Napolitano signed a law into effect Monday requiring employers to verify legal status of their workers and threatening revocation of business licenses for failure to comply.

Taunya Villicana of the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce says while many tend to think employers of unskilled labor will be the only ones affected, other employers, in hi-tech or medical fields, may have a tough time filling positions.

"They might actually have to close their business, because they can't find a qualified work force," she explains.

Kat Rodriguez of Derechos Humanos says both documented and undocumented workers will be reluctant to speak up about their rights, because the new state law will force more people underground.

"What it's really going to create is what we call the fear factor," says Rodriguez.

Both Villicana and Rodriguez believe laws should accommodate economic need, by streamlining the process for legal work status.

Thats what happens when people abuse the system .

many tend to think employers of unskilled labor will be the only ones affected, other employers, in hi-tech or medical fields, may have a tough time filling positions.

THIS IS NOTHING BUT A LIE. THEY WILL FIND QUALITY WORKERS IF THEY ARE WILLING TO PAY A LIVING WAGE. THEY DONT WANT TO DO THAT THOUGH. BUT WATCH WHAT HAPPENS.....THEY WILL FIND WORKERS.

If a business cannot operate legally - then it should not be allowed to operate. It is just that simple.

There are a lot of business that suffer from lack of capital - maybe we could just allow them to rob a bank - so they won't have to close their business.