TED Talks Daily How employers steal from workers — and get away with it | Rebecca Galemba
Sep 28, 2021
Rebecca Galemba, an anthropologist specializing in wage theft, reveals the shocking reality that millions of American workers, especially day laborers, are often cheated out of their hard-earned wages. She discusses the multibillion-dollar implications of this hidden epidemic and the systemic exploitation faced by vulnerable workers, particularly immigrants. Galemba proposes crucial reforms for labor rights and encourages consumers to advocate for fair treatment, emphasizing the need to rethink our understanding of work in today's economy.
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Bernal's Story
- Bernal, a day laborer, was hired and then driven 70 miles for a construction job.
- After working all day, the employer stranded him, gave him a bounced check, and didn't pay his wages.
Intentional Wage Theft
- Employers often claim wage theft is accidental.
- However, day laborers' experiences reveal it's a patterned, intentional practice for profit.
Employer Retaliation
- When confronted, employers may ignore workers, change numbers, or threaten them, even with calling immigration.
- Retaliation protections are weak, and immigrant day laborers often don't trust the system.