Hard Times for Latino Construction source: Marketplace posted: Feb. 28, 2008 "Just a year ago, this business was a goldmine, especially for Latino construction workers. Two out of every three new construction jobs were filled by Hispanics." read the report here

Commentary on Latino Construction Woes
by Ricardo González

There is a silver lining in this cloud. The current shakedown in the construction industry allows for two very important things to happen.

1. It allows established construction companies to refocus their efforts on the proper development of a trained, skilled and long-term workforce.

The bubble has burst on the construction industry and we are seeing many companies coming back and retrofitting their own approach to recruiting, hiring and training. This is a very good thing in the long-term, both for the companies and their Latino people.

For too long, companies were simply hiring 'warm bodies' to fill positions that simply required someone who could do the physical labor. Many companies are now rethinking this flawed approach to business.

In the short-term, this is a tough situation for Latinos. In the long-term, it will have very positive results as new emphasis is given to proper recruiting and hiring in this industry.

2. The subcontractor industry, much of which operates under very poor business practices, is being weeded out.

In the boom times, contractors were hiring whatever crews they could find. Many of these were subcontractors who operated their businesses in very flawed and sometimes illegal manners.

I recognize that this segment of employers has produced many jobs, but they are typically not stable jobs, nor are the employees normally treated well. Many times workers are paid in an illegal cash system and little if any job skills or safety training is offered. The workers have been exploited and Latino leaders should speak out against these practices, even if the majority of these subcontractors are other Latinos.

Contractors should require minimum standards of training along with proper and legal payment of the workforce. Unfortunately, in many cases relating to the labor force, we have immigrated the same patronish attitudes and practices from our native countries.

Personally, I view the current shakedown in the Construction Industry as a good thing. I have spoken with and worked with many leaders in this industry and find it refreshing to hear them talking so much about using this time to develop better recruiting and hiring systems, better training systems and overall better companies.

Adelante,


Ricardo González