Workers who expose fraud, abuse or illegal activity in the workplace generally are shielded against retaliation from their employers by whistleblower protection laws.
But a whole category of legal immigrants is absurdly exempt from such protections.
The result: Legal guest workers are exploited and corporate crimes go unpunished, because those who are best positioned to blow the whistle on corporate wrongs can face blacklisting and deportation, and so are (understandably) unlikely to do so.
Your senators have the opportunity to close this gap in whistleblower protections by supporting Amendment 1429 to the Immigration Reform bill.
Tell your senators to support this essential amendment.
Specifically, this amendment (which is being introduced by Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn.) will make it illegal for employers of H-2B migrant workers to discharge or retaliate against an employee because the employee has filed a complaint or otherwise exercised any rights provided to employees.
This isn't only a deplorable situation for the exploited migrant workers.
If employers are able to underpay or mistreat these legal immigrants with impunity, wages and working conditions fall for American-born workers, especially those who are employed the same sectors.
Additionally, these workers are on the front lines to witness potentially tainted food and other health risks.
Regardless of their nationality, workplace whistleblowers protect American workers and American jobs and American health.
Urge your senators to vote YES on Amendment 1429.
Thanks for all you do,
Rick Claypool
Public Citizen's Online Action Team
action@citizen.org
P.S. Make it count. For a limited time, a group of longtime supporters will match any contribution, dollar-for-dollar, up to $500,000. Donate now and your gift will go twice as far in support of the work we're doing together to challenge corporate power.