Readers write: FIFA reform is essential; migrant workers; 'demand' for cheap goods
FIFA should support all levels 聽
The Jan. 18 Monitor鈥檚 View 鈥�A firmer footing for 鈥榝ootball鈥� 鈥� refers to the fact that, despite revelations of extensive corruption at FIFA, soccer continues to grow in popularity. In order to protect the integrity of a sport that is enjoyed by so many, immediate and radical reform at FIFA is essential. It鈥檚 estimated that FIFA currently spends just 20 percent of its income on soccer development. FIFA must utilize its vast resources to encourage more people to play soccer. That means providing better playing conditions and ensuring the availability of well-qualified coaches at all levels.
Alistair Budd
London
Migrants and the local economy
Regarding 鈥淭he tillers鈥� advocates鈥� in the Dec. 28, 2015 & Jan. 4, 2016, cover story, 鈥�Out of the dark,鈥� on human trafficking: The issue is not that the employer is paying less than minimum wage, but that the Haitian worker is likely undocumented and will never collect on any of what is withheld 鈥� no refund on taxes, no Medicare, no Social Security benefits.
This is one more injustice for migrants, who generally contribute more to our system than they take out. Unfortunately, most of this 鈥渂enefit鈥� to the system goes to the federal side, with most of the cost (such as medical care) borne by state or local organizations, leaving a false impression that undocumented migrants are a 鈥渃ost,鈥� even as they contribute to the local economy.
Linda Laskowski
Berkeley, Calif.
Your cover story on human trafficking was irritating. Americans never 鈥渄emanded鈥� cheap goods. The policies that gave us cheap goods 鈥� free trade, globalization, and mass immigration 鈥� were concocted by economists, politicians, and big business. And as we experienced the evisceration of American manufacturing jobs, local economies, and small family businesses, these policies were highly unpopular. The American consumer, after three decades of stagnant wages as the middle class has shrunk, is responding like consumers all over the world 鈥� trying to maximize their shrinking wages.
Jonette 海角大神
Holden, Maine
