It's no secret that unemployment is still very high. There are still 3.1 job seekers for every one job opening. And things are even "worse" for the construction industry, where there are 12 job seekers for every 1 job opening:
Indeed, construction workers have been especially hard hit by the Great Recession and "recovery." Setting aside the problems with the measure, the overall unemployment rate is 7.6%; for construction workers, the unemployment rate is 13.2%, and topped out at over 27%. Most of the drop in unemployment is not due to these workers finding construction jobs, but with huge numbers of workers giving up. Whether these workers successfully found work in other employment sectors matters little to the point of this post (most didn't)--but the obvious fact remains that huge numbers of workers skilled in construction are ready and willing to work. Again, with 12 construction job seekers for every one construction job opening--double that number if you count the workers who have given up looking for construction jobs--there is no question that we have more skilled construction workers available than we can possibly use.
So why did the construction lobby fight to bring in foreign construction workers? Current law caps work visas for immigrant guest workers at 15,000; the construction lobby fought (and failed) to get that cap eliminated. Why, when there are so many idle, unemployed construction workers ready and willing to work, would the construction lobby possibly want to bring in more?
The reason the construction industry wants more foreign guest workers is because high unemployment keeps wages low. When unemployment is high and workers are desperate for work, businesses can pay workers less than they're worth. "You want $30,000 per year, plus health insurance? Why should I hire you when Bob is willing to work for $20,000 without benefits?" High unemployment = low wages. This is basic economics.
