Chester County Democratic Committee

Release Date: July 28, 2010
Press Contact: Lindsay Fritchman, Press Secretary, 610-329-0841

Calls for Increased Investigations and Crackdowns for Companies Hiring Illegally

With so many Americans out of work right now, it is more important than ever that employers are playing by the rules and ensuring that the jobs they have are going to Americans who do the same. In recent discussions with members of the Building Trades community, Manan Trivedi, the Democratic candidate for PA’s 6th Congressional District, became aware of a situation in which a company from Malvern, PA has been questioned regarding the citizenship status of a number of its workers. Trivedi publicly called attention to this case to encourage proper handling by the authorities and ensure that we continue to crack down on all employers that breaks the law by hiring undocumented workers.

The company, Forcine Concrete and Construction, is currently contracted onto a project in Abington, PA. The majority of Forcine’s jobs are in construction, a field hit hard by the recession, and exactly the type of jobs that should be going to one of the many skilled and trained American workers currently unemployed.

“If the allegations about this company are true, then a great disservice has been done to our community,” said Trivedi. “Companies that employ undocumented workers and guide them on how to operate outside the law are only encouraging more immigrants to pursue jobs in our country illegally. And with so many in our community already looking for job opportunities just like these, it is outrageous that any company would skirt the law by hiring undocumented workers. In any instance where there are questions regarding a company’s hiring practices, it’s imperative that the company be investigated thoroughly by the proper authorities.”

When a company hires illegally, they unfairly undercut their competition, hurting all local small businesses that do play by the rules. Illegal hiring practices also carry implications for safety and health care because employers often do not allow undocumented workers injured on the job to report the incident or seek proper medical care, threatening the safety of themselves and their fellow workers.

“A safe work environment is essential for all American workplaces. As a doctor,” said Trivedi, “I cannot tolerate companies jeopardizing their workers’ safety because they’re trying to hide their own illegal activity.”

Congresswoman Allyson Schwartz (PA-13) has called on Immigration and Customs Enforcement to investigate the situation, an effort that Trivedi applauded, which will hopefully uncover the truth behind this company’s hiring practices. Yet he questioned how other current elected officials failed to notice this situation in their own backyard.

“For the company to be operating in the 6th District and have no one looking into this concern is exactly why I am running for Congress,” Trivedi said. “I know that my neighbors need to be able to rely on their representative for oversight, and that requires someone in touch with their local community who knows what’s going on in our own backyard.”

Trivedi is also calling for increased monitoring of suspicious hiring practices and punishment to the fullest extent of the law for any companies proven to be hiring illegally. Having been born and raised in Berks County, Trivedi has focused on representing his district, looking out for our local workers, and protecting jobs here at home.

Manan Trivedi is the Democratic nominee for Congress in Pennsylvania’s 6th Congressional District. He is a primary care physician, a former Lt. Commander in the U.S. Navy, and an Iraq War veteran from Berks County.