Often times the most decadent or high-end resorts rely on the underpaid and exploited labor of immigrant men and women. In Tucson, Arizona several resorts sprawl along the foothills of the Catalina Mountains, but behind their cascading swimming pools, acres of green golf courses and relaxation spas are immigrant workers who are struggling to be treated with the dignity they deserve.

In September 2006, Border Action Network was contacted by a Mr. Armenio who had worked for years at the Westin La Paloma Resort Country Club golf course. Like the other immigrant men that maintain the golf course, he worked long hours under the Arizona sun to ensure that the course was in perfect condition. One afternoon in the summer of 2006, while Mr. Armenio was working on the irrigation system, a valve burst. Mr. Armenio was knocked to the ground by the water pressure and the shattering PVC. When he came to, he realized he was soaked in blood from his face where he had been badly injured in the accident. He was taken to an emergency clinic where he was stitched up and treated. However, the next day Mr. Armenio was told he had to be back at work in spite of the fact that his face was badly swollen, the open cuts were easily subject to infection from the golf course’s reclaimed water and some nerve damage had made it difficult for him to speak.

Mr. Armenio wanted Border Action to document the violation of his rights. While he was explaining his own experience to a Human Rights Abuse Documenter, he recounted other examples of rights violations that he and the other immigrant workers experience regularly on the job. Within a week, a group of immigrant men got together to learn more about Border Action Network, their rights and how to document the patterns of violence, discrimination and hostility at the La Paloma Country Club golf course. More than 80% of the immigrant workers reported abuses. This new group of Border Action members continued to meet to analyze the problems, develop solutions and agree on a plan of action.

A report was developed that compiled the abuses at the resort golf course and presented the workers’ recommendations. The report was presented to various levels of management, resulting in agreement from the contracting company to many of the workers’ demands.

Read full report here

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