The Voice Behind The Lens; LABOR DAY-DEDICATED TO WORKERS IN AMERICA.

The Voice Behnd The Lens; Writings on Photography and Beyond. With writer, street, documentary photographer Michael Dubiner.

September 1, 2003 -- In honor of working people in America, I dedicate this article to them, and their day, Labor Day.

As the Department of Labor says: Labor Day,...,is dedicated to the social and economic achievements of American workers. It constitutes a yearly national tribute to the contributions workers have made to the strength, prosperity, and well-being of our country.

Undeniably, there have been vast improvements in the condition of workers in the United States over the last 100 years. Laws on issues as far ranging as child labor, wages and working hours, health benefits, protections for people with disabilities, workers compensation and many others, some argue too many, have vastly improved the lot of many American workers.

Unfortunately, this Labor Day, our statisticians tell us that we are coming out of a recession that does not seem to be creating the jobs that most recoveries engender. For many families, this means that there will be no celebration of this holiday

As our world moves to a global economy and American companies understandably are taking advantage of the lower cost of labor in other parts of the world, jobs that were once held by Americans are moving to other countries. In many of our biggest discount stores, most of the merchandise is made outside of the Untied States. Consumers purchase these goods because they are less expensive than their American made counterparts.

There is no countering this worldwide movement and American laborers will lose jobs because of it. While we want to pay less, and while these countries might not live up to the labor standards that we set in America, we must be watchful that at least minimal tolerable and safe labor conditions be adhered to in all countries that we buy from. Additionally, there must be an effective system of vigilant inspection and sanctions for violations of these rules.

Lastly, is the problem of the poor and often illegal in our own country. It is difficult to demand enforcement of labor laws in Third World countries when we allow their laborers to be mistreated here. Many industries, notably agriculture and the food industry, say they cannot operate without the so called "illegals" who they claim do work that American citizens refuse. If that be so, and if these people are going to live and work in our county, they must be extended the protections of the labor laws which allow them minimal tolerable conditions so that they are not taken advantage of or their lives endangered.

In the accompanying photograph, I count at least 12 and probably a few more workers on the back of the truck. They are on a busy, dangerous road. There is no protection from the elements for them in the middle of the South Florida summer and I am certain there are no seat belts back there. From their faces, they appear to be from Central or South America, where much of the South's outdoor labor comes from. As is often the case, some of them may be undocumented and present in the United States illegally. Hypocritically turning a blind eye to their presence, but keeping their status as undocumented, lowers their wages and their working conditions and is certainly not in our tradition of Labor Day. Transporting workers like cattle is not in that tradition either. They too are entitled to at least minimal tolerable and safe working conditions that we would demand for workers of other nations making products for us.

It was not that long ago when Labor Day was a time for the beach, picnics and relaxation. It was a time when workers did not work at "Labor Day Sales" to supply the rest of us with the goods we wanted. There were other days for us to shop and plenty of time before the holidays. Those times are gone. However, "the tribute to the contributions workers have made to the strength, prosperity, and well-being of our country" should not be forgotten for workers of the past, present and future, throughout the world and here at home.

(The author, Michael Dubiner is a professional image maker and lawyer who lives in Wellington, Florida. His articles will appear twice monthly on PixiPort.

His work can be seen at http://www.pixiport.com/gallery-w06.htm.