Human Rights
In the final process of compiling this report, several
areas of discussion were combined under the general area of Human Rights.
The topics discussed under this section basically addresses how we as human
beings treat others regardless of their legal status in this country or
state. Three areas are discussed under this section: 1) Worker’s Rights,
2) Civil Rights, and 3) Housing.
Out of all of the areas of study, the topics discussed in this section
were perhaps the most difficult to define in any quantitative manner.
This is perhaps the case because many persons who are mistreated don’t
report their mistreatment to state or federal regulatory agencies because
of fear of deportation and/or they are not aware of their rights under the
law, regardless of their immigrant status in this country. What
is reported in this section are issues and advisory recommendations based
upon the comments from persons speaking at local meetings and persons who
provide services at the grassroots level to the Hispanic/Latino community.
Worker’s Rights Issues:
- There is a misconception among the Hispanic/Latino community and
employers that illegal aliens are not covered by the State Workers’
Compensation Laws.
- Because many workers do not speak English and are not made aware
of wage and hour laws, they are often taken advantage of in the work place
by employers who require them to work long hours without overtime pay.
- Undocumented workers who are hurt on the job are often told by
the employer that they have no administrative remedy.
Advisory Recommendations - Worker’s Rights:
- The State Workers’ Compensation Commission should train and/or
hire qualified bilingual personnel to oversee educating employers
and the
Hispanic/Latino community about the Worker’s Compensation Law and who
is
covered.
- State legislation should be passed requiring all employers,
both public and private, to display worker’s rights, wage and hour information,
and other employment information in English and Spanish.
- Fines for employers who fail to pay proper compensation to workers
who work overtime should be levied in accordance with state law.
- The State Worker’s Compensation Commission should run television
and radio spots in Spanish on Univision and Telemundo satellite channels
twice yearly, to make the Hispanic/Latino populations aware of their rights.
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Civil Rights Issues:
1. Persons believe they are being treated unfairly in the work
place because of their national origin and Spanish dialect.
Advisory Recommendation - Civil Rights:
1. The South Carolina Human Affairs Commission should run television
and radio spots in Spanish on Univision and Telemundo satellite
channels twice yearly, to make the Hispanic/Latino populations aware of
their rights under Title VII of the 1964 Civil Rights Act and the South
Carolina Human Affairs Law.
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Housing Issues:
1. Hispanic/Latino persons are often taken advantage of by land
lords, who rent rundown housing by per person occupancy. One example
was given of a group of six men that were charged $200 per person to live
in a rundown mobile home. The slum lord was making $1,200.00 a month by exploiting
these individuals.
Advisory Recommendation - Housing:
1. The State Housing Finance and Development Authority, in collaboration
with local housing authorities, should conduct a comprehensive study of
the rental housing community, to determine the extent of the problem and
make recommendations to Governor Hodges for addressing substandard housing.
©2003