Do you think mexican workers are good for the economy?
I don’t know about the effect on the economy, I don’t think there’s a huge effect at all as a matter of fact. But here in Florida where the oranges are being picked by Mexican workers I see that they get a job done that wouldn’t be done by the locals without being paid a lot more for doing less. The Mexicans make good money, and go home with what is a huge amount of money there and the grove owners are happy to be getting the job done. So in my experience here I see no effect on the economy (sure, they spend their money too, but there’s just not enough to cause an effect) but the relationship is mutually beneficial. And no, they are not in any way underpaid. It’s piece work and they make more than most American workers do but they really work hard at it and this is a rare and welcome opportunity for them.
