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Ernest Rodriguez "Viewpoint" radio broadcast scripts, 1973-1977

Ernest Rodriguez ""Viewpoint"" Muscatine, Rock Island/Mercer County Migrant Workers

VIEWPOINT

I am By Ernest Rodriguez

About 3,500 Migrants will soon b in the Muscatine and Rock Island-Mercer County areas to pick tomatoes.

The tomatoes are sold by growers to the Heinz Company in Muscatne. 

There are state and federal programs to provide education, health, day care and other services to the migrants during their stay here.

Many residents of the area resent the fact that the Migrants receive services that are not available to permanent residents. 

They fail to see that the Migrants make a considerable economic contribution to this area in goods purchased and in profits to growers and to the Heinz Company as a result of their labors. 

We can conclude then that the various programs to serve Migrants are really subsidizing the growers and the processor also. 

If Migrant workers are to produce a good day's work it is essential that they stay in good health. 

If their wives and older chindren are to be free to labor in the fields then it is necessary that someone cares for the very small children of these families. 

Migrant programs become necessary because of low wages paid Migrants. 

The Average annual income of the Migrant family is below $2,000 and far below the poverty standard set by the government. 

What then is the solution to migrants' problems?

Higher wages is the answer but can growers and the processor afford to absorb a higher labor cost and still make a profit?

The answers to these questions would throw new light and a better understanding of the whole issue of Migracy.

I would propose that land grant colleges and universities in Iowa and Illinois accept the challenge to research the economic contribution of Migrants to this area. 

This is Ernest Rodriguez for Viewpoint.

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VIEWPOINT I am By Ernest Rodriguez About 3,500 Migrants will soon b in the Muscatine and Rock Island-Mercer County areas to pick tomatoes. The tomatoes are sold by growers to the Heinz Company in Muscatne. There are state and federal programs to provide education, health, day care and other services to the migrants during their stay here. Many residents of the area resent the fact that the Migrants receive services that are not available to permanent residents. They fail to see that the Migrants make a considerable economic contribution to this area in goods purchased and in profits to growers and to the Heinz Company as a result of their labors. We can conclude then that the various programs to serve Migrants are really subsidizing the growers and the processor also. If Migrant workers are to produce a good day's work it is essential that they stay in good health. If their wives and older chindren are to be free to labor in the fields then it is necessary that someone cares for the very small children of these families. Migrant programs become necessary because of low wages paid Migrants. The Average annual income of the Migrant family is below $2,000 and far below the poverty standard set by the government. What then is the solution to migrants' problems? Higher wages is the answer but can growers and the processor afford to absorb a higher labor cost and still make a profit? The answers to these questions would throw new light and a better understanding of the whole issue of Migracy. I would propose that land grant colleges and universities in Iowa and Illinois accept the challenge to research the economic contribution of Migrants to this area. This is Ernest Rodriguez for Viewpoint.