[mukto-mona] Fwd: [cmcmedalumni] Fw: Statement about Indian Workers in Mississippi

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From: SAALT <saalt@saalt.org>
Date: Fri, Mar 28, 2008 at 11:04 AM
Subject: Statement about Indian Workers in Mississippi

Statement about Indian Workers in Mississippi March 27, 2008 South Asian Americans Leading Together (SAALT) As a national organization that addresses issues affecting South Asians in the United States, South Asian Americans Leading Together (SAALT) stands in solidarity with the hundreds of Indian temporary workers from Mississippi who are traveling to Washington, DC this week to raise awareness about the injustices they have suffered. Since 2006, more than 500 skilled workers trained in pipefitting and welding were recruited from India and the United Arab Emirates to work for the Signal International Corporation, a marine construction company on the U.S. Gulf Coast.  The workers came to the United States to build better futures for themselves and their families. They were promised steady jobs and a path to permanent immigration status once they came to the United States.  The reality, however, was markedly different. The workers, who received temporary H-2B visas which do not provide a path to permanent residency in the United States, found themselves subjected to severe workplace exploitation.  At their own expense, they were forced to live in work camps on company property with twenty-four workers crammed into dormitory-like facilities, with only two restrooms for all the workers to use. They were isolated from the outside world while under surveillance by armed guards, and denied access to telephones or visitors. Many were threatened with salary reduction, termination, and even deportation if they raised concerns about their working conditions. The current temporary worker program in the United States permits such flagrant human rights violations to occur. In addition, there is very little government regulation of employment agreements between temporary workers and their employers.  Without changes to immigration and labor laws in the United States, abuses such as those endured by the Indian workers will continue to happen. SAALT calls upon the governments of the United States and India to take appropriate actions in order to assist the workers, and to make changes to the systems that allow for such abuses to occur.  SAALT also encourages the South Asian community to lend their support to the workers' struggle. A majority of the 2.5 million South Asians in the United States are immigrants or naturalized citizens. The stories of the Indian workers from Mississippi serve as a tangible reminder of the denial of rights endured by many South Asian immigrants around the country. The Indian workers from Mississippi, supported by the New Orleans Workers' Center for Racial Justice, have mobilized through organizing, filing lawsuits, and initiating a "Journey for Justice" from the South to Washington, DC. This week, as the workers are in DC, SAALT staff and volunteers are participating in meetings that the workers are having with the Indian Embassy, congressional members, and allies. We stand with African-American, Latino, labor rights, immigrant and civil rights organizations, and community members around the country to support the workers currently engaged in their "Journey for Justice" inspired by Mahatma Gandhi and the U.S. Civil Rights Movement. For more information, please contact: Priya Murthy, SAALT Policy Director, 301.270.1855 or priya@saalt.org Deepa Iyer, SAALT Executive Director, 301.270.1855 or deepa@saalt.org For information about how to assist DC area efforts and about the Indian workers generally, please see below.     Learn More/Support There are various ways that individuals in the South Asian community can support the Indian workers from Mississippi: If you are in the Washington, DC area between March 28 and April 2 - Provide translation/interpretation assistance - Hindi, Malayalam, Tamil, and Telugu speakers are especially needed Provide monetary donations for the workers' campaign to help cover their food and lodging costs on their "Journey for Justice" Attend the rally at the White House on Monday, March 31 at 11:30 am Contact SAALT at (301) 270-1855 or saalt@saalt.org if you are interested in providing assistance. We will direct you to further information. Stay informed and learn more - It is important for the community to stay aware of what is occurring with the workers and their organizing efforts. Learn more from: New Orleans Workers' Center for Racial Justice has been heavily involved in mobilizing these workers and leading the campaign to raise awareness about their exploitation.  American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) Human Rights Program does extensive work to protect the rights of immigrants and has supported the striking workers.  Asian American Legal Defense and Education Fund (AALDEF)'s Anti-Trafficking Initiative is one of the organizations filing the lawsuit on behalf of these workers and has a program devoted to combating trafficking of individuals from Asia into the United States. Jobs with Justice is a workers' rights organization that has supported the workers on their march up to Washington, DC. Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) is one of the organizations filing the lawsuit on behalf of these workers and has published reports on the abuses that H-2B visa holders suffer in the United States.   South Asian Americans Leading Together (SAALT) is a national non-profit organization dedicated to the full and equal civic and political participation of South Asians in the United States and has worked to raise awareness about these workers with government agencies and with the South Asian community.  SAALT is providing community and public education as well as coordination assistance for the workers while they are in Washington, DC. Raise awareness - Let your friends and family know about the consequences of trafficking and worker exploitation that many South Asian immigrants endure on a daily basis.You can talk about this issue, convene a forum or discussion, write on a blog, or tell others about the situation and how it relates to the broader context of civil and human rights.   South Asian Americans Leading Together (SAALT) is a national, non-profit organization, based in the Washington, DC area, dedicated to fostering full and equal participation by South Asians in all aspects of American civic and political life through a social justice framework that includes advocacy, coalition-building, community education, and leadership development.

 

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