Slavery in the United States: Indian guest workers abused by oil corporations - VIDEOS

As an immigrant I know very well of how hard is to come to the United States with a legal visa. I have witnessed and heard of the eagerness of people from the world who want to come here to work and make a better living for themselves and their families, especially college-educated people.

Also I know about labor abuse caused by the greediness and corruption of some U.S. corporations, that take advantage of the desperation and the dreams of foreign workers.

Indian guest workers in the U.S. - Photo AP

Please read this message that I got via email. and watch these videos. If you believe we all can make a difference, then you might want to contact the U.S. Congress immediately about this issue.

After Hurricane Katrina, billions of dollars poured into the Gulf Coast region [Mississippi and Lousiana] to rebuild. Signal International used these funds to enrich themselves by using the exploitive “guest worker” visas and corrupt recruiters to hire workers. Some of the welders and pipe-fitters who were brought [from India] to the Gulf Coast to work in what amounts to modern-day slavery have taken a courageous stand for justice. 

On May 14, five of the workers went on hunger strike demanding they be granted permission to stay in the U.S. while their case against their exploitative employer goes through the courts. They want to be granted continued presence in the U.S., and they’re asking that the U.S. Congress hold hearings on the abuses of the guest worker program. With the hunger strike entering its second week, at least 5 more workers join the hunger strike today, while allies across the U.S. and in India fast in solidarity with the strikers. 

You can help! Please urge your Representatives in Congress to sign onto a letter calling for them to remain in the U.S. and to hold hearings on Signal International.

Today is Day Eight of the water-only hunger strike by the Indian guest workers protesting the labor abuses of Signal International in the Gulf Coast. Hunger striker Christopher Glory's blood pressure dropped dangerously low late last night and is being monitored for possible hospitalization today. Nonetheless, the rest of the strikers’ sprits remain high as they prepare for the noon rally today. 

Jobs with Justice coalitions are supporting the hunger strike today in 14 cities across the U.S. by fasting, circulating petitions, and educating their communities and congressional delegations about the workers’ demands. In India, 15 of the workers’ family members are taking part in a 24-hour solidarity fast. Their families are asking that the Indian Minister of Oversees Affairs to take concrete action on the workers’ behalf. 

Send a letter to the following decision maker(s): Your Congressperson Your Senators Below is the sample letter:

Subject: Investigate Signal International & Grant Workers Asylum Dear [Congressperson or Senator name automatically inserted here], I recently learned of an alarming case of employer abuse that urgently needs your attention. Signal International has been using unscrupulous recruiters in India to lure workers to help rebuild after Hurricane Katrina. Welders and pipe-fitters from India paid recruiters up to $20,000 for the promise of permanent visas for themselves and their families. Upon arrival to the U.S. these workers were placed in cramped, unsanitary housing, charged exorbitant rent, and forced to work for Signal International. Their working and living conditions in the Gulf Coast amounted to modern day human slavery. I urge you to hold hearings on Signal International and their recruiters, and to ensure the workers can remain in the country legally while their cases are heard. Sincerely, Your name

If you take only 15 minutes of your day, you will make an important impact on the way how immigrant workers (documented or not) are treated in the U.S. by corrupted corporations. This country wants to be the "leader of the free world" and a land of opportunities with justice, right?

VIDEOS

Indian workers sue US oil firm over abuse
Aljazeera reports from Mississippi and Louisiana




Protest at the White House
March 31, 2008

Update April 2011:

According to the American Civil Liberties Union - ACLU:

U.S. Government Lawsuit Supports Indian Guestworkers' Claims of Discrimination and Abuse 

Last week, the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) filed a lawsuit against Signal International, LLC, a company that builds and repairs ships and offshore oil drilling rigs. In its press release, the EEOC charges that the company violated "federal law by subjecting a class of approximately 500 Indian employees to human labor trafficking and a hostile work environment." 

Read more here.

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