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0 points8f2ab37a-ed6c1y ago0 comments

This is the bit that I've always found confusing. When it comes to blue collar jobs, people in the upper echelons will gladly advocate the wonders of millions of people entering the job market to compete with Americans.

But as soon as it's their own market that introduces additional competition, they will advocate "just pay people more, the job seekers exist, just not at the wages employers are offering, this extra competition only depresses American wages".

Which one is it? Is it "competition for other classes, no competition for my class please"?

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macintux1y ago

There are many, many blue collar jobs which Americans don’t want to do at the prevailing wages (or at all). Agriculture is a prime example of this.

There are relatively few high skilled, high paying jobs which Americans don’t want to do.

8f2ab37a-ed6cOP1y ago

Again, why is the answer in agriculture to simply not increase wages? Someone’s willing to pick berries for $100/h I’m sure. Does it make berries unsustainable as a business? Likely, but isn’t that an argument for moving away from industries that can only survive on exploitation of undocumented third world labor?

JackYoustra1y ago

Ah, the argument is following it: the berries will still be picked in other countries for substantially lower wages and worse conditions than the wages or conditions (partially) of undocumented workers here. Even our worst jobs are substantially better (usually ~3x) than the average job of many countries, to say nothing about the huge gulf in security and institutions you get form living here.

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superq1y ago

It's basic economics: wages are low because cheaper labor is available.

For instance, if working on an Alaskan fishing boat pays $2,000 a week, you might take the job despite harsh conditions. At $200 a week? Unlikely. But for someone from a less-developed country, $200 might feel like $2,000.

Remove the supply of lower-cost workers, and the resulting labor shortage drives wages up, seeking equilibrium in the market.

JSteph221y ago

>at the prevailing wages...

...which are where they are in no small part due to decades of immigration policy.

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