Interesting situation

[Fandango 1,440]

It could be anything, really. It could be a self-employed situation, or taking money out for room and board, etc. I know servers (at least used to) be paid summat like 2bucks an hour, with the rest being tips.

But from all my experience in hotels, I'd hazzard a guess that more than one room could be cleaned per hour. So that's $7 plus room and board, min...

[Marilyn. 340]

Becca, I am not sure exactly what type of visa she is here on, but my wife says she will ask exactly what visa she has, if she calls us again. From what I gather it is a 3-month worker visa.

I think we may not be getting the full story.

First of all at $3.50 per room (according to her), she may fall under the minimum wage category. We don't know how many rooms she is expected to clean in an hour. My guess is more then one.

Then, we don't know what exactly her contract stipulates.....is food, accomodations, transportation, etc. included or taken out of the pay?

Treatment of someone is subjective. Pershaps there are language or cultural differences that are being misunderstood here.

Lastly, does she even understand her contract? Lots of immigrants even on K-1's or K-3's don't completely understand their rights. I find it hard to believe she is not able to quit and leave whenever she likes.

I know I don't have too many details, but I was actually more concerned of how this motel was violating labor laws and exploiting foreigners. She said her boss had given her 15 rooms to clean per day, and that it took roughly 13 hours for her to do it. At 3.50 per room, this is significantly under minimum wage, not to mention the 5 hours overtime.

I am wondering if she is even authorized to work. It's obvious she has been deceived through these "recruiters" that brought her here.

If we get to speak with her again, I will find out more info.

It could be anything, really. It could be a self-employed situation, or taking money out for room and board, etc. I know servers (at least used to) be paid summat like 2bucks an hour, with the rest being tips.

But from all my experience in hotels, I'd hazzard a guess that more than one room could be cleaned per hour. So that's $7 plus room and board, min...

[rebeccajo 14]

Bump because this is interesting.

[diadromous mermaid 36]

Sounds like she was brought in on an H2B, as a temporary guest worker. Though all employers must make sure that employees, even temporary aliens, are paid according to the DOL minimums, the employer, in securing the visas has only to report that the job is paid at "prevailing wage". I suppose if this housekeeper is not as quick as others, she could be working for one hour to clean one room, although in all of my experience, most housekeeping positions in the hospitality industry maintain that the average hotel room be turned over in 20 minutes or less. The "room and board' portion could be valued at anything between $50 to $150 a week.

[Niels Bohr 72]

There are factory jobs that will earn her more money than that. Many factory jobs don't require English at all, just basic skills (repeatitive). For example, in CD manufacturing, all you do is get the CD and packaged them all day long. She can quit that contract if she wanted to by going to court.

[mawilson 2,133]

According to the Department of Labor, you must pay at least minimum wage in this country, along with other taxes and benefits.

I find it hard to believe that an employment agency can circumvent US Labor laws under the guise of a "contract".

Contractors (1099'ers) are responsible for their own taxes (both income and social security/medicare.)

[Ban Hammer 13,644]

According to the Department of Labor, you must pay at least minimum wage in this country, along with other taxes and benefits.

I find it hard to believe that an employment agency can circumvent US Labor laws under the guise of a "contract".

Contractors (1099'ers) are responsible for their own taxes (both income and social security/medicare.)

exactly. and they try to hire you at 10-12 an hour, which leaves you with close to minimum wage.