Taking their cue from disgruntled fast-food workers, Peace
Corp personnel from around the world are striking to receive minimum wages.
Currently, the 7,000 plus operatives are volunteers, who
receive absolutely no payment for their services.
And many are fed up.
Eddie Robzoski, who joined the international service
organization last year, echoes the sentiment of many workers.
“I built a three-mile sewer line in Nicaragua, in smoldering
heat, all while swatting mosquitos the size of owls … and what did I get … nada
… zip … zilch.”
The recruits believe they should receive at least 15 cents
per hour for their tireless work.
“They can afford to
pay us a few pennies,” said Winston Abelman, an English teacher in Honduras, “I
mean, c’mon, the local mayor is walking around with a gold pinky ring.”
Demonstrations and protests are spreading around the globe.
In Haiti, police were called when hundreds of Peace Corp workers
sat in the road and blocked an oxcart from bringing bananas to a clinic.
“We’ll stay here as
long as it takes,” said volunteer Chelsea Hoops, “it’s worth getting arrested
and thrown in a tiny, dirty cell for 20 years.”
Although Peace Corp workers accept the position knowing they
won’t get paid, many believe compensation is in order.
“The brochure shows everyone smiling and having a good
time,” said Madge Smitherton, “but when you find yourself planting tomatoes
next to a crocodile farm in Cameroon, you’d kinda like a salary.”
An unidentified Peace Corp representative said he
understands the view of the workers, but his hands are tied. Literally, he is being held in a local
Malaysian police station for wearing shorts that are cut too high above the
knee.
Recent recruit Brandon Butterman hopes the conflict is
resolved before he leaves for Panama, where he’ll show rural cafe owners how to
operate Keurig coffee machines.
“I want to help people,” he said, “but to be honest, I’d like
to earn enough so when I get home I can afford to download that new song by Ed
Sheeran.”
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