I’ve only got about two minutes of sunday left, so today’s letter will have to be a short one. Remember New Orleans? Sure you do. Its that city the government forgot about. Well, its time to give them another reminder. Why? Well, if it wasn’t bad enough that the city was destroyed due to improper handling on behald of the Army Corps of Engineers and the federal goverment’s misapporpriation of funds, now the largely immigrant workforce cleaning and rebuilding the city is being stepped on.

The Southern Poverty Law Center has just filed two lawsuits against to major contractors and is also calling for stricter enforcement of federal worker protection laws. The problem stems from the fact that the government hires subcontractors who hire subcontractors. Along the way, they are all taking a chunk of money meant for workers, while creating less and less accountability. The SPLC is asking for concerned citizens to help out with these lawsuits by putting pressure on the federal government to enforce standards and protect workers. You can do so by signing their petition. One article about the litigation quoted SPLC Immigrant Justice Project attorney J.J. Rosenbaum as saying:

“Lawsuits alone won’t stop the widespread exploitation of workers that’s going on in New Orleans. The people working in New Orleans to rebuild its schools, hospitals and university buildings need and deserve the protection of the federal government.”

Take two minutes out of your day and sign the petition to help protect workers’ rights and safety.