<p>For many employers, these programs were actually a godsend. At least, before the economy tanked. A hotel owner I spoke to in coastal Maine told me he used to recruit through the local high schools and regional college, and rarely had enough summer staff. So he loved the W&T kids. Another manager (at a restaurant near Garden of the Gods in Colorado) told me he preferred the W&T kids because they were more reliable to stay on the job through the summer: he said the American kids would quit as soon as they got better paying jobs. </p>
<p>I’m sure today’s economy may mean American teens/college kids would be happy to get these jobs. But that wasn’t always the case.</p>
<p>I’m sorry, but Garden of the Gods is right on the edge of one the larger cities in Colorado. I have a hard time believing that with 5 high schools, 3 colleges (I’m not even counting the Air Force Academy), and a sizable working class population that you could not find American workers for a restaurant.</p>
<p>If the pay and working conditions are poor, it is a no-brainer that a business won’t keep employees. So, change part of that equation. Lots of folks will work at a bad job if the money is decent. </p>
<p>When a business starts hiring W&T kids because they can’t keep regular American employees, it leaves a bad taste in my mouth. Businesses should not be encouraged to employ people who feel for a variety of reasons: visa restrictions, money paid out et al, like they CAN’T leave. That starts to look like forced or at least coerced labor.</p>
<p>Who says W&T students can’t leave? They can and (some) do. Those who need to make more money take on additional jobs elsewhere. The visa doesn’t restrict them, it allows them to work anywhere plus it gives them a month to travel after their 2 month stint working. Hence the name. </p>
<p>I can’t vouch for other locations, but The Garden of the Gods restaurant appealed to W&T students because of its stunning location. To be able to experience such places is exactly why they came to America. In contrast, the local kids were a bit blase, having seen that red rock every day of their lives.</p>
<p>That article actually made me feel sick. Something about taking advantage of internationals’ willingness to work hard doesn’t sit right with me. They could be working on a production line back where they came from–and they wouldn’t be paying for visa’s and the flight tickets.</p>