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The hand that feeds film
The Hand That Feeds is an American documentary produced in 2014 and directed by both Rachel Lears and Robin Blotnick. The documentary follows a group of illegal immigrant workers fighting for stronger rights in New York City.

Synopsis
The documentary, ‘The Hand That Feeds’ [1 ] follows an undocumented immigrant; Mahoma Lopez as he convinces a small group of his co-workers to fight beyond sub-legal wages, derisive managers and unjust working conditions. Despite jeopardising their livelihood and deportation, the documentary follows a group of co - workers on a quest to form an independent union for stronger work rights. The story highlights and explains the chronological sequence of events - that starting from when the directors Rachel and Robin met Mahoma to the initial actions in May 2012. When Mahoma; alongside his fellow co-workers went to the National Labor Relations Board and voted to form their own independent union, to which sets off the complex chain of events documented in this film. The thematic concern of this movie examines justice, betrayal, human rights and dignity revealing the growing wave of low socio - economic and immigrant workers in the USA. The need to recognise the labor of undocumented workers constitutes a crucial section of the American economy, it is their struggle for rights alongside the battle inside and outside the workplace also entwines the needed reform and American democratic dichotomy.

Cast
Director’s Rachel Lear’s and Robin Blotnick first met Mahoma López in April 2012 on the Upper East Side of Manhattan at McDonald’s. Mahoma had already started searching for help regarding the horrific working conditions at the Hot & Crusty bakery and cafe. He had reached out to the Occupy Wall Street Movement[2 ] and filed various complaints to big unions and the New York State Department of Labour [3 ], However the attempts were rejected and ignored. Mahoma’s personality upon first glance is humble and soft whilst also strong willed and determined for change within and beyond his community.

Undocumented immigrants and legal unions
'Unlawful presence'[4] is best understood when an immigrant overstays a valid work or travel visa. It is not considered a crime to live in the United States without legal status, however this overstay is punishable by civil duties, including deportation and being barred from re-entering the country. Crossing the border outside the designated crossing or eluding immigration enforcement offices is noted as 'improper entry'[4 ]. The misdemeanour, similar to other criminal offences must be proven in court beyond reasonable doubt and can include a maximum punishment of 6 months’ jail time or up to $250 in fines. Although statutes of limitations exist on almost all civil and criminal offences except for the most serious crimes such as murder and kidnapping, there is no statute of limitation for immigration offences today. As a result, an immigrant without legal status may be deported no matter how long they have been in the country or how integrated in US society they have become. [4]

Within the American context and society today, low- wage jobs have replaced the once standard middle - income jobs that stabilised and built the middle class society in America. However fast food chain services and retail jobs have replaced such and are now the fastest growing sections yet the lowest paying across the state, and so the the struggle of low- income workers and their families increase. The documentary brings to light the need to fix the tarnished immigration system; lifting millions out of poverty by increasing consumption and tax revenue. The American labour movement has revealed over the course of the 20th century their stance in limiting immigration policies; perceiving immigration as a hazard to American workers. It has been understood prior, the (ALM) thought immigrants were taking away jobs and income from American citizens. However, in 2010 the AFL-CIO and labour federations shifted their commitment to try better support and organise immigrant workers, hence campaigning for immigration reform. There is now an increased understanding and compassion in the labor movement as undocumented workers are more likely subject to corrupt and illegal conditions enforced by the owners/ managers of the business. Whilst it is still illegal for undocumented immigrants to form legal unions; based on the pretence that is it also still illegal for an employer to hire a worker without legitimate work authorisation. The laws listed below do not exclude workers based on immigration status. However once an employer does hire anyone; the employee is then authorised (regardless of documentation status) to basic protections under the federal, state and local labor laws. It is The Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938[5] ensures minimum wage and overtime whilst The National Labor Relations Act of 1935 that entitles the right for workers to organise and fight for better pay and working conditions

Food Chain Workers Alliance
The Food Chain Workers Alliance is an American and Canadian coalition working to bridge pay disparity and conditions within the food chain area. The 33 members who represent the 370,000 food workers aim to build a stronger sustainable food system that values workers rights based on the principles of social, environmental and racial justice. The workers alliance supported the documentation of 'the hand that feeds' documentary, further advocating for a sustainable food system that supports both the environment and the workers. Within their mission statement, they aim for the food system to be -

1. Be democratically controlled

2. Be managed by more cooperative ownership, less private ownership

3. Provide local, healthy, sustainably produced food that is beneficial to both people and the environment.

4. Allow all to work with dignity, liveable wages and meaning.