LABOUR SHORTAGES???

Somehow in this world wide economic slowdown, recession, downturn or whatever you want to call it; it just doesn't seem likely. The title however in today's Waterloo Region Record is "Farmers say labour shortage reshaping California food industry". Critics of this scenario "...accused them (farmers) of crying wolf to win sympathy for relaxing labour and immigration rules.". Furthermore in California at least "...studies have shown that most workers are immigrants living and working in the country illegally.". Farmers and others are suggesting that better job prospects in Mexico plus stricter enforcement at the border are making large inroads into the supply of labour.

Worker advocates are skeptical because they say the history of the farm industry is one of crying wolf regarding labour supply. Also these advocates suggest that if workers were in such short supply their working conditions and wages would be rising. To date there is no evidence of that. Personally I tend to believe that if you spoil any industry with low wages,and a lack of power for labour, it is inevitable that the labour will be exploited and working under poor conditions. I think that if the price of labour rose, along with the price of fresh fruits and vegetables, then you would see greater supply up to and including more domestic workers.