Sunday, June 8, 2008

A Look At International Student Workers

Today's Virginian-Pravda takes a look at the international student workers in Virginia Beach. http://hamptonroads.com/2008/06/short-local-workers-resorts-look-overseas

Having formerly lived (1989-1992) and worked (1984, 1987-1991) in Ocean City, MD, I can tell you Ocean City's Tourism sector would have imploded entering the 1990s without them. It was simply impossible to staff the myriad of businesses with homegrown talent.

The real upside for Virginia Beach in taking them is that they leave at the end of the Summer. We don't have the army of unemployed seasonal workers we would have without them and the associated problems. However, their care does bring a few problems that we have been slow to address, especially seasonal housing.

Can the nativism and welcome them to Virginia Beach!

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