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| | The Problem
 When unorganized, Day Labor is generally a "lose-lose" problem for all concerned parties. Groups of men loitering on street corners, sidewalks, and parking lots all day, every day, contribute to a sense of public disorder. They are often not well received by home owners and business operators in the area, who, accurately or not, may associate day laborers with theft, drug activity, and unsanitary practices. One newspaper columnist wrote that congregating day laborers created a "general blight on the community."
The workers themselves lose as well. Chronically under-employed, unorganized day laborers get work only 10-30% of the time. This means they are left loitering on the streets, often without benefit of cash, food, or facilities, 70-90% of the time. During these long idle periods, they are the frequent targets of law enforcement efforts. When they do get work, day laborers are often abused by unethical employers, who pay them below minimum wage, or may even refuse to pay them at all.
The cities and police departments called upon to address complaints about day laborers also lose. Caught between unending citizen complaints and the limitations of the law, police often resort to "nickel and dime" enforcement efforts. Much like INS "raids," the impact of such routine enforcement programs is always short-lived.
Some cities have discovered they can become financial losers as well. In most areas where Day Labor is an issue, it is a multi-faceted problem, involving several different stake holders. Spending money on a "quick fix" instead on investing in a more well-researched, and better coordinated, program has proven not just costly, but counter-productive in some cities. One Southern California city spent $240,000 in one year on their program, yet their Day Labor problem persists. In fact, a poorly designed program can create new problems, including becoming a magnet for day laborers from other areas, and turning the area into a hangout after hours for drinking and camping out.
Solutions
Researching Your Solution
Selecting the Right Solution Begins with Research into Your Community's Particular Problem
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