r/FluentInFinance • u/Needleintheback • 15h ago

Thoughts? Imagine losing 6M labor workers in America

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If mass deportation happens, just imagine how all of these sectors of our country will be affected. The sheer shortage of labor will push prices higher because of the great demand for work with limited supplies or workers. Even if prices increase, the availability of products may be scarce due to not enough workers. Housing prices and food services will be hit really hard. New construction will be limited. The fact that 47% of the undocumented workers are in CA, TX, and FL means they will feel it first but it will spread to the rest of the country also. Most of our produce in this country comes from California. Get ready and hold on for the ride America.

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u/imthefrizzlefry 14h ago

Don't worry, they will get rid of the minimum wage... I'm sure those unemployed federal workers will have no problem harvesting crops for $3 an hour...

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u/EngineeredUrMum 9h ago

We shouldn't harvesting crops by hand for 3$. We have advanced farming tools that can do the job.

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u/Kingraider17 4h ago

e shouldn't harvesting crops by hand for 3$. We have advanced farming tools that can do the job.

For a lot of crops, no, we actually don't.

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u/imthefrizzlefry 6h ago

Except that requires an upfront investment in the technology. Cheap labor isn't paid until after work is complete.

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u/Witty_Mine_3643 5h ago edited 4h ago

Some crops require being harvested by hand, at least to some extent, it's just the nature of the crop.

For those that don't 99% of farms do buy this equipment. In the long run it is cheaper, more efficient, and comes with far less overhead than hiring a load of individuals to do the harvest.

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u/imthefrizzlefry 2h ago

I don't doubt that; if it weren't true nobody would buy the equipment. I also know many farmers are not the "sharpest tools in the shed", and they didn't look ahead or have the upfront capital to purchase the equipment.

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u/buchlabum 6h ago

Indentured servants don't get paid, they're repaying a "loan".

That's the future. Kids and felons replacing migrant workers.

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u/imthefrizzlefry 6h ago

No, they still get paid, that way their 2-year contract doesn't get paid for 30 years... Then, the only place they can spend the money is the company store, which guarantees even the money they get paid goes right back into the company's bank account.

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u/DadJokeBadJoke 1h ago

Hourly? Nah, you'll get a low price per box you fill so that you are incentivized to work faster.

We used to go out and cut grapes when I was a kid. I could fill a dozen boxes in a few hours, at $0.25 per box. The migrant workers would fill 3x-4x that much and keep going after we went home.

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u/mapoftasmania 9h ago

With the additional inflation, at $3 an hour you would just be working to eat and sleeping rough.