I think if the farm workers can prove that they are American citizens or can prove that they are legally permited to work in the US they should be covered by WC. But if they are here illegally then tough stuff…
Wrong. They are asking the state to pay for their injuries. If they are ILLEGAL then they have paid nothing into the state, are not legal residents of the state and have no benefits from the state. Other laws penalize employers that hire illegals.
Explain that to anybody who has ever had an undocumented worker get hurt, then return to his home country before the claim was settled and there’s a large reserve sitting out there. Or the company non renews the employer’s coverage for employing said undocumented worker. There also has to be some accountablity to the employer for hiring undocumented workers. I apologize if you think I’m being bigoted, but something has got to be done…We are giving away the rights that our ancestors fought for. If you want to be eligible for WC coverage, food stamps, welfare, healthcare, etc…Imigrate leaglly.
The key word everyone seems to forget iS “ILLEGAL”. Laws put on the books everyday making something legally wrong, punishable by ?. If I or anyone else that was born in the United States doe’s something “ILLEGAL” we are not handed any benefit. It usually costs thousands of dollors with no chance of recouperting any of that money even if found that what you were accused of was, by the law “NOT ILLEGAL”. I don’t now and never will understand how something that everyone agrees on is the word “ILLEGAL” is just that, ILLEGAL. Just my opinion.
I agree Teddy…Who would have thought that there would be a double standard on something as blatant as illegal immigrants. Should we just give up the word illegal or only use it for actual citizens of the United States????
I think the point of the article is that apparently in New Mexico employers of farm workers are excempt from the workers compensation mandate. I don’t beieve that all farm workers are excluded from coverage, just if you have a farm that has non-machinery operating farm workers. The law is present in a number of states so that farmers that may hire only short seasonal assistance at planting/harvest time would not be required to get a workers comp policy. Maybe the law is out-of-date in modern times. My question is why do they have to sue, why don’t they lobby the legislative body in New Mexico to have the law changed?
I think if the farm workers can prove that they are American citizens or can prove that they are legally permited to work in the US they should be covered by WC. But if they are here illegally then tough stuff…
I do not agree…if they were working when injuiried they should be eligible for the benefits.
Otherwise it would then FURTHER incentivize the business to hire illegals.
The issue of injury versus immigration status are two seperate issues.
Wrong. They are asking the state to pay for their injuries. If they are ILLEGAL then they have paid nothing into the state, are not legal residents of the state and have no benefits from the state. Other laws penalize employers that hire illegals.
Explain that to anybody who has ever had an undocumented worker get hurt, then return to his home country before the claim was settled and there’s a large reserve sitting out there. Or the company non renews the employer’s coverage for employing said undocumented worker. There also has to be some accountablity to the employer for hiring undocumented workers. I apologize if you think I’m being bigoted, but something has got to be done…We are giving away the rights that our ancestors fought for. If you want to be eligible for WC coverage, food stamps, welfare, healthcare, etc…Imigrate leaglly.
I was only refering to coverage for injury while on the job.
Never ever said anything about welfare or food stamps or any other items.
Were they injuried during the course and scope of their duties?
As for the employer intentionally hiring illegals…there are other laws (which should be enforced) that handle that issue.
could/should an existing ins policy be cancelled for this reason? Dunno..would have to research, perhaps could be an increased moral hazard…
The key word everyone seems to forget iS “ILLEGAL”. Laws put on the books everyday making something legally wrong, punishable by ?. If I or anyone else that was born in the United States doe’s something “ILLEGAL” we are not handed any benefit. It usually costs thousands of dollors with no chance of recouperting any of that money even if found that what you were accused of was, by the law “NOT ILLEGAL”. I don’t now and never will understand how something that everyone agrees on is the word “ILLEGAL” is just that, ILLEGAL. Just my opinion.
I agree Teddy…Who would have thought that there would be a double standard on something as blatant as illegal immigrants. Should we just give up the word illegal or only use it for actual citizens of the United States????
I think the point of the article is that apparently in New Mexico employers of farm workers are excempt from the workers compensation mandate. I don’t beieve that all farm workers are excluded from coverage, just if you have a farm that has non-machinery operating farm workers. The law is present in a number of states so that farmers that may hire only short seasonal assistance at planting/harvest time would not be required to get a workers comp policy. Maybe the law is out-of-date in modern times. My question is why do they have to sue, why don’t they lobby the legislative body in New Mexico to have the law changed?