[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 169 (Thursday, November 20, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2341]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


       INTRODUCING THE LABOR RECRUITER ACCOUNTABILITY ACT OF 2003

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. GEORGE MILLER

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, November 19, 2003

  Mr. MILLER of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to introduce the 
``Labor Recruiter Accountability Act of 2003.''
  As has been well documented in the press, the abuse of recruited 
workers has become a very serious problem in many areas of our nation. 
Labor contractors lure workers to the U.S. by promising them a better 
life with decent wages and good jobs in exchange for thousands of 
dollars in fees. Instead, tens of thousands of workers arrive in the 
U.S. only to find that they were cruelly deceived. If they are paid at 
all, they earn unlivable wages for menial jobs to which they never 
agreed, with no insurance or health care. And in addition to earning 
little, they are bound deeply in debt to the recruiter for bringing 
them to their new home.
  This is not employment opportunity: it is indentured servitude. It is 
modern slavery. Hard as it may seem to believe, this form of indentured 
servitude is the disturbing reality for thousands of workers, and it 
should not be occurring in the United States in 2003.
  Today, I am introducing the ``Labor Recruiter Accountability Act of 
2003'' to fight this cruel practice by providing for tighter 
accountability for foreign labor contractors and employers.
  The ``Labor Recruiter Accountability Act of 2003'' holds recruiters 
and employers responsible for the promises they make to prospective 
employees, and discourages employers from using disreputable 
recruiters. The bill requires employers and foreign labor contractors 
to inform workers of the terms and conditions of their employment at 
the time they are recruited. It makes employers jointly liable for 
violations committed by recruiters in their employ. It imposes fines on 
employers and recruiters who do not live up to their promises and 
authorizes the Secretary of Labor to take additional legal action to 
enforce those commitments. Employers and recruiters are prohibited from 
requiring or requesting recruitment fees from workers and are required 
to pay the costs, including subsistence costs, of transporting the 
worker.
  The bill discourages disreputable labor contractors by requiring the 
Secretary of Labor to maintain a public list of labor contractors who 
have been involved in violations of the Act and by providing additional 
penalties if employers use a contractor listed by the Secretary as 
having been involved in previous violations of this Act and that 
contractor contributes to a violation for which the employer may be 
liable. The remedies provided under the ``Labor Recruiter 
Accountability Act'' are not exclusive, but are in addition to any 
other remedies workers may have under law or contract.
  Is it too much to ask that people who live on American soil, making 
products for American consumption, be treated like American workers? 
Even the most basic respect for human rights demands that we act now to 
protect these workers.
  I am pleased that over 30 of our colleagues have joined me as 
original cosponsors of this bill. I am hopeful that all of our 
colleagues, on both sides of the aisle, will add their support to this 
critical legislation to end this kind of despicable exploitation of 
workers in the United States once and for all. This legislation is also 
supported by the AFL-CIO, the National Council of La Raza, and the 
Farmworker Justice Fund. Mr. Speaker, I urge Members of the House to 
join me and co-sponsor the ``Labor Recruiter Accountability Act of 
2003.''

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