Why do day laborers swarm cars?
Although “swarming” sometimes frightens people, the practice actually originates with the employers, who motion to the day laborers from inside their vehicles, and then usually choose the first day laborer who arrives at the vehicle (or the first to open the door and jump into the vehicle). Day laborers explain that those who do not run will not get work. Our research revealed that the only time that the first day laborer to arrive is not chosen is when another day laborer is able to bargain down the wage to win the job (one reason day laborers often earn less than the minimum), or when the employer chooses to seek a worker with specific skills, which is rare.
