While some contractors dismiss the plan as political rhetoric, many say they can’t afford to lose more people from an aging, immigrant-dependent workforce still short of nearly 400,000 people.

While some contractors dismiss the plan as political rhetoric, many say they can’t afford to lose more people from an aging, immigrant-dependent workforce still short of nearly 400,000 people.

Both presidential candidates promise to build more homes. One promises to deport hundreds of thousands of people who build them.

Former President Donald Trump’s pledge to “launch the largest deportation operation in the history of our country” would hamstring construction firms already facing labor shortages and push record home prices higher, say industry leaders, contractors and economists.

“It would be detrimental to the construction industry and our labor supply and exacerbate our housing affordability problems,” said Jim Tobin, CEO of the National Association of Home Builders. The trade group considers foreign-born workers, regardless of legal status, “a vital and flexible source of labor” to builders, estimating they fill 30% of trade jobs like carpentry, plastering, masonry and electrical roles.

  • mightyfoolish@lemmy.world
    3·
    2 months ago

    I cannot imagine it be a worthwhile investment. The only people I know who do Uber are retired and do it out of boredom. Fortunately, I don’t know a single soul who does it for a job (without having another job to do as well).

    • ToastedPlanet@lemmy.blahaj.zoneEnglish
      2·
      2 months ago

      I know I guy who does Door Dash. He says it let’s him be his own boss where he can work as much or as little as he wants to. And he said he got tired of dealing with the new generation of workers at his old job.

        • ToastedPlanet@lemmy.blahaj.zoneEnglish
          2·
          2 months ago

          That’s what an actual Door Dash driver has told me, and I would think he would be aware of the downsides of the business. He has told me his war stories and despite all of the cons he thinks it is better for him then working in his old job sector. It seems pretty telling. edit: typos

          • mightyfoolish@lemmy.world
            1·
            2 months ago

            I see. It could be easier for your friend to work with clients over other coworkers. There’s nothing wrong with that.

            • ToastedPlanet@lemmy.blahaj.zoneEnglish
              2·
              2 months ago

              What’s surprising about it is that two attributes outweighs all of the upsides of being a full-time employee and the downsides of an enshittified business model that makes you pay for your own gas. It speaks to how important and valuable work-life balance and coworker interactions are. edit: typo

              Companies should seek to provide at least the first and higher wages. I’m not sure what companies can do about generational differences, maybe different shifts, but that seems like it wouldn’t be feasible in every case. Maybe more training. He made it sound like an attitude problem though. =/

              • mightyfoolish@lemmy.world
                2·
                2 months ago

                Being able to set your own hours is something most people dream of. Many conventional jobs have a busy season where 50+ hours is mandatory. I’m glad your friend is able to get a good balance going.

    • Flying Squid@lemmy.world
      31·
      2 months ago

      I don’t know anyone lately, but I know plenty of people who did it when they were younger. Including a trandgender friend who did it for maybe 20 years. I’m guessing she doesn’t have a lot of job opportunities here in Indiana. She’s such an awesome person too.