Do you mind if I use this forum to create a story? I have clawing to get out a small story about what a "Guest Worker" program could degenerate into within the next few years, and since I don't have time at home or at work to write it, I'll post it here as I lengthen it.
It is the year 2012, and we begin in Columbia. Emilio Salvador worked the fields of his brother’s small farm for eighteen of his twenty three years, before soldiers burned them down. He never knew if they were Columbian soldiers, or rebels, a militia or some drug lords. All he knew was that the farm belonging to his family for generations would not be able to support him this year. His options were few, especially since he wanted to marry the beautiful Celina Del Logos. She was beautiful and smart, but with no prospects, marriage to Emilio would only result in hunger.
That is when the man in the bus drove up. He looked a worn dapper, in a spotted white suit, his hat fanning away the flies. On board a half dozen tired men and women watched the white suited man approach Emilio. “You look done for my friend.”
“Excuse me stranger. I do not know you.”
“I am Diego Cortez. I run the Happy Coyote Employment firm. Today I am driving around these beautiful mountains looking for hard workers.”
Emilio finished his watered coffee. “I need work. What do you offer? Plantation work? Mines? Drugs?”
“No my friend. I offer freedom, wealth, America. Sign my contract and come to America. There you will be given work making in one hour what you can not earn in a week in this small place.”
America? Emilio had heard of the Coyote’s. They arrange to get you work in Golden America. Such an opportunity is fabled, but never free. “I have no money.” He stared back down at his empty cup.
“You do not need any money now my friend. The Guest Worker program the gringo’s have make sure I will get paid for my time. You just cover your costs, and you can do that on credit.” By now the Coyote found a chair and was sitting across the small table from Emilio. His smile grew wide.”
“Credit?”
“We will take the money for your expenses from the money you will earn in America.”
“How much money?”
“How do I know? Do I know what you will eat? Do I know what you will need? But for sure it will take only a couple years to pay off this debt. Then everything you earn you keep.” Diego motioned to the nearby waitress. Two drinks, cold Mexican beers, made there way to the table.
“Is this written down, where I can read it?”
“You can read?” asked the coyote, startled.
“Yes. I have been through school. I am no idiot.”
“Fine, fine. Some people go to school. Others learn by working hard. That is all.”
“I work hard.” The coyote seemed to be questioning that as he stared over Emilio. “I work very hard, and have for many years. Ask anyone. Ask the priest.”
“Oh no” rushed the Coyote, flinching at the word Priest. “Let us not get the church involved. Here is our contract. Simply sign it and off we go.”
“Wait, why such a hurry. I must pack and say farewells and…”
“And let the greedy priests talk you out of going? No. I leave for Bogata from here. I can not wait for days while you may change your mind. The priest, he will say lies about America, about the Church’s view of Coyote’s, and about your prospects, all to keep you in his flock, paying for his big meals. Sign this paper and I can wait an hour for you to say goodbye, but do not sign and I leave after this beer.”
Emilio tasted the beer. It was good and cold. He read the contract. Much of it was beyond his learning, but it seemed simple enough. His expenses would be kept track of from this moment on. His wages would be docked while he worked until it was paid off. If he quit or broke the law, other means of paying the debt would be mandated. The company he worked for would provide a residence, and pay for his healthcare during his stay. All other expenses would be his responsibility.
“What is this?” he asked. They coyote leaned forward.
“What is what? Oh that. It says that I can sell your contract to others, that is all.”
“Why would you sell my contract?”
“I am taking you to Bogata where you will find transportation to America, but I can not go all the way with you. I will sell your contract to a Coyote who will take you further. Eventually they will sell your contract to a company that hires you.”
Emilio shook his head as if he understood. Then he thought it over, and signed the contract.
“One hour, and then we leave.”
Emilio rushed out to say good-bye to his family, his friends, his life. He was going to America, land of the Free.
Posted by starLisa (Member # 8384) on :
Wow. I see where this is going.
Posted by Kwea (Member # 2199) on :
So do I. I did before he began to tell it.
Posted by Lyrhawn (Member # 7039) on :
Could just call the "mexican beer" Corona.
Doesn't this all presuppose that the massive yearly influx of a million illegals will dry up? And that the S. American economy stays stagnant for the next eight years?
Granted, the second assertion is probably true, though with CAFTA and growing Chinese labor costs (which I think WILL happen in the next eight years), I don't think that it's a given. And certainly the first assertion isn't automatic.
This story isn't all that different from what happens every day in China and all over Southeast Asia, though usually it's for sex workers, not hard laborers, I believe. The only difference is that it's S. America, not Asia.
Posted by Soara (Member # 6729) on :
Just for the record, let's call it Bogotá, Colombia. Anyway...how is this different from what's already happening? Plenty of people get cheated with stuff like this, especially when coyotes get involved. Are you suggesting that Bush's proposed Guest Worker program will make this all happen more? Or something? What are you saying?
Posted by Dan_raven (Member # 3383) on :
This is just the begining. Yes, he is going to get cheated, and cheated in many ways. Yes, its already happening in SE Asia, but its more than with sex workers. Still, how many American's are aware of it?
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