"A Smile in Every Hershey"???

Yesterday’s issue of the New York Times reexamines an event that took place this past summer. In Palmyra, PA 400 international students were employed at the Hershey’s packing plant. Although they were led to believe they would actually be working for Hershey, these students were employed by a contracted company known as Excel. Students from around the world traveled through a company known as Counsel for Educational Travel, USA or CETUSA. The services of this international organization, which provides a J-1 visa, comes with a hefty price tag. Students reported paying up to $6,000 to travel to the United States.

Upon arrival to the US and the start of employment, the international students working at this packing plant did not get what they were expecting. Many students reported working in less than satisfactory conditions. The job required lifting 60 lb boxes for extended periods of time. The job description also required one “spends 100 per cent of the shift standing, walking, stooping, bending or lifting” and “involved in repetitive motion work.” In addition, students must work effectively in a cold environment. Reports by students reveal just how terrible some experiences were. With a very small pay wage and high cost of substandard living arrangements, most students did not have the resources to actually enjoy their stay in the US.

Several students attempted to report their harsh working conditions to little avail. Students later reported being threatened with termination of their visas should they involve higher authorities. Conditions finally changed when 200 students walked out of the plant in protest. This was the first labor protest in 50 years for CETUSA. The state department had validated claims of abuse of international students in several states the year before. As a result of these unfortunate situations, stricter regulations are now in place to prevent this from happening again.

Traditionally students in this program came from Eastern Europe, China and Russia and were employed at national parks, summer camps, and amusement parks. In 1998 this organization served 30,00 students. A decade later this work and travel program assists 150,000 students. This far exceeds the programs expectations.

Although I think international travel and work experience is a great opportunity, at this time do we have the resources to employ such a large number of students? I would have to say at this point, we do not. Clearly, employment of international students is not being monitored closely enough. At this time, I do not feel as though we have the manpower to make sure international students are safely employed through these work exchange programs. The experience of these international students will impact the reputation the United States has with other countries abroad for years to come. Another thing to take into consideration at this point is the lack of jobs. With the unemployment rate at an unacceptable high, employing international students is not helping the problem. I hope in the next decade this changes and we are able to welcome international work students with open arms. However, at this point I believe we should put a limit to the number of international students we employ..