Illegals get Worker's Comp

[carpro]

http://www.wtopnews.com/?sid=568973&nid=25

Court: Illegal Immigrants Eligible for Workers' Compensation
Updated: Tuesday, Sep. 13, 2005 - 5:17 AM

ANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP) - Maryland law providing compensation for on-the-job injuries applies to illegal immigrants even if they are not lawfully employed, the Court of Appeals ruled Monday.

 

[Johnv]

Worker's comp is insurance. It's not entitlement, welfare, or a handout. If someone pays into it, they're eligible for it. I don't see the problem here. One would think that this ruling would discourage employers from hiring illegals.

 

[LorrieGrace]

I didn't realize that the illegals paid taxes. Now I am perplexed.

 

[Johnv]

Originally posted by LorrieGrace:
I didn't realize that the illegals paid taxes. Now I am perplexed.

If someone works under the table, they're not paying taxes. If someone works at a legit job, even if they're illegal, they're having payroll taxes (including federal, state, and local, if any, taxes, and including worker's comp and social security) deducted from their pay.

 

[carpro]

Now you're getting into why politicians are reluctant to do anything about illegal immigration.

Lorrie,withholding taxes and Social Security are withheld and credited to fictitious SS#'s. The government keeps it all.

Of course local governments have to pay the piper by furnishing a free education, free medical care through hospital emergency rooms, etc.

But the feds do real good. That's what politicians like most...more money to spend.

 

[Brother Ian]

In my area, illegals work for a lower wage than the law requires. As a result, a lot of labor in the construction and landscaping fields is done by illegal aliens.

 

[carpro]

I sell cars Brother Ian. I interact financially almost daily with legals and illegals alike. I even have one finance source that will finance illegals if they have been in country long enough.

The point is that, although I'm sure what you are saying takes place, I have yet to find one illegal that doesn't make more than minimum wage.

Some of the ones that work on dairies and ranches are furnished a place to live, an allowance for food, free utilities, and a vehicle to drive. And still get paid $300-400 weekly. Hard to determine what their actual hourly wage is, but it's been that way in the agriculture business for a long time for illegals and legals, white,black & Mexican.

 

[Brother Ian]

That's a shame Carpro. Maybe the employers in the USA hire them because they are willing to work hard for their wages, whatever wages they may be. The illegals I've seen seem to work hard. On the other hand, I've seen a whole bunch of our folks that don't want to work at all.

Maybe the benefit for the risk the employer takes hiring illegals is they really get an honest day's work for a honest day's wages.

 

[kubel]

First, if someone pays into works comp insurance, and has to use that insurance, whats the big deal here. Give them what they are paying for.

Second. The issue is not illegals receiving workers compensation. The issue is illegals working illegal jobs. Issue #1 would not be a problem if laws are enforced. But one of the most primary duties of a sovereign government (securing our nations border) has been set on the back burner. Now we are facing problems that should not even be a problem in the first place!

 

[fromtheright]

While I completely agree with kubel, workers comp is an issue if these illegals are not paying taxes. I must confess to ignorance re W/C as to whether one can receive benefits if one is not paying taxes, but if the legal theory is that because the nature of their jobs or legal status of their employers they are entitled to benefits whether or not they are paying taxes, it is simply wrong for them to be able to recover legal benefits though they have broken the law to be here.

 

[gb93433]

I always thought that businesses in the US could not legally hire anyone without proper documentation.

 

[PamelaK]

gb93443, they can't, legally. But they do. Every day. I have seen it repeatedly with illegal hispanics I have known through ministry. Most of these people also got driver licenses easier than I did when I needed to renew mine after moving into another state. That's just the way it is. But, praise the Lord anyway for their being here for an opportunity to give them the gospel and if they get saved, many will get these things right. I've seen that too.

 

[El_Guero]

Well ...

If I remember right, legal or illegal, workman's comp is insurance provided to protect the employer from frivilous lawsuits from injuries ...

Having been injured by Army doctors, I believe in protecting workers - legal or illegal.

 

[Joseph_Botwinick]

I believe in deporting illegal workers.

Joseph Botwinick

 

[PamelaK]

Quote:

I believe in deporting illegal workers.

Joseph Botwinick

Joseph, I do as well, but while they are here, take the opportunity to give them the gospel. I have seen many get saved, struggle to become legal, and have their lives turned around. The most important thing, of course, whether they are able to stay or not, is to have their spiritual condition turned around.

 

[Joseph_Botwinick]

No problem preaching the Word to them while they are on their way back to their own country. Then, they can go through legal channels and become citizens legally. Then they may stay.

Joseph Botwinick

 

[PamelaK]

No problem preaching the Word to them while they are on their way back to their own country. Then, they can go through legal channels and become citizens legally. Then they may stay.

Joseph Botwinick

Yep, Joseph, have seen it happen that way too, sometimes in very miraculous ways.

 

[Squire Robertsson]

In California, Worker's Comp is paid by the employer to an insurance company to pay for on the job injuries. It is not a "tax". If an employee is injured on the job, modern law holds the employer liable. Immigration status should be moot. In fact if the employer is paying the workman's comp premiums, the payroll cost gap is narrowed.

 

[billwald]

In Washington State the EMPLOYER pays per employee for worker's comp so illegals are pre-covered before they are injured.

 

[gb93433]

Originally posted by Joseph_Botwinick:
I believe in deporting illegal workers.

Joseph Botwinick

It is one thig to give lip swervice to the issue and another to take care of buisness.

It is a well known fact that America needs those illegals to work here. If we waited for the young people to step in and get the work done we would still be waiting. Illegals work on our roads and other government projects.

Several years ago 60 Minutes had a piece on that issue.