Although the workers have instituted some changes, the new site is not like a union hiring hall run by the workers themselves. The purpose of the day labor site is for workers, some black and white, but mostly Latin American immigrants, to secure daily work. The jobs available to these workers is often the least desirable. The rigorous manual labor is not steady work, nor does it pay well. Also, since day laborers are considered independent contractors, they are not protected by U.S. labor law.
Many obstacles face the day laborers.
Many speak little English. They are stereotyped as being drunks and criminals. Neighborhood residents show contempt for day laborers because they are poor, and businesses fear that the presence of the laborers will drive their customers away. The Immigration and Naturalization Service and the police simply harass the workers, although some advocates for the workers say the police have been more cooperative recently. In spite of the difficulties with the work in general and the new site in particular, there is some cause for optimism.