According to a report in Forward – a Jewish weekly paper, which first published articles about the AgriProcessor plant in Iowa in 2006 and has maintained its coverage of the plant – a great number of workers have nothing to do except sitting around restaurants, farmhouse, and benches in town plotting their next move. Most of these workers are Palauans.
Nathaniel Popper had reported in Forward on Monday that the state of Iowa has levied a $10 million fine against the company and many of the workers have been suspended indefinitely as productions at plant seem to have stopped.Popper had interviewed some of the Palauans at Postville about their situation.One of the Palauans he had interviewed, Singichi Etpison had indicated that people have been asking the workers for rent payments, which they are unable to pay due to lack of work and pay.Popper had reported that many workers – Palaauns and other nationals – are not desperately looking opportunities to get out of Postville.The Palauans, as reported, are expected to evicted from their homes in Postville next week, if their rent payments are not paid.Incidentally, earlier this week, one of the Palauans in Postville had called one of the local radio stations in Palau – WWFM 89.5 – and said that they are struggling and are seeking help.During the initial recruitment of workers in Palau last summer, many people were led to believe and were promised free airfare to and from Postville, a job that paid $10 an hour, and free housing.Many Palauans – including the 150 who already in Postville – had applied and some are still waiting for their plane tickets to Postville.A lot questions and concerns were raised about the number people going to Postville and reports Federal investigations into AgriProcessor violations of US laws.Despite the questions and concerns that were raised, people still applied and left for Postville.Attempts to reach Mr. and Mrs. Webster Franz, the AgriProcessor’s local recruiters responsible for influx of Palauans to Postville, for comments have not been successful.
