Vernon continued, "Usually, the workers clock out at 8:00 p.m. With the 30-minute lunch break, that adds up to 12 hours of work. If things get hectic, they might have to put in an extra two hours, making it a total of 14 hours of work.
"The workers get paid 15 dollars per hour, with a maximum of two hours of overtime. They'll definitely make at least 5,000 dollars a month.
"We'll interview the candidates ourselves, so you're just finding people for us. What's your quotation? How much do we pay for the workers you'll send over every month?"
Dax thought for a moment and replied, "I can do 4,800 dollars. That's 200 dollars cheaper than if you hired the worker yourself. Don't worry about the insurance and the uniform cost will be deducted from their salary."
Vernon shook his head. "I usually stay out of these little things. But since I'm personally handling it, just having 200 dollars cheaper is too underwhelming. Let's make the pay 4,500 dollars. I'm offering 4,500 dollars a month for the labor you're providing."
Dax's expression soured. They were only hiring workers under 38 years old. These hardworking people needed to support their families.
Given the current cost of living, 4,300 dollars was only enough to get by for one person. What about the wife and the kids? Who would want to work for such a low pay?
Dax went silent for a moment, then cautiously managed a smile. "If you pay me 4,500 dollars, I'll take 200 dollars for the management fee, Mr. Fuller. The worker will only get 4,300 dollars.
"They are expected to work 14 hours a day, leaving for work before sunrise and getting home at 10:00 p.m. Isn't that too little?"
Vernon snickered. "I'm paying 4,500 dollars, and you're taking 200 dollars as the cut. If you think that's not enough, just take 50 dollars instead."
Dax diffidently remarked, "I need to make a living too."
Vernon's expression darkened. "4,300 dollars is more than enough. We're on the mainland, not the coastal cities. If they work as the street cleaner or a waiter in a restaurant, they'd be making way less."
Dax forced a smile. "You've got a point, but the pay is so low that they can't provide for their families."
Vernon scoffed. "If they can't support their wife and kids, that's on them. Capable people can take care of two wives or even more. Their lack of ability has nothing to do with me."
With a bitter expression, Dax responded, "Yes. You're right. They're a bunch of losers. Honestly, how many people in the factory aren't just slacking off? But when the pay is too low, it's hard for me to recruit anyone."
Vernon coldly stated, "If you can't bring me workers, I'll just switch to another agency. You need to tell the workers that the factory offers good pay, easy work, and lots of beautiful women. Figure out a way to lure them in.
"After they join, we'll have them work for a month, but we'll hold back their first month's pay. When the time comes, they won't want to give up their withheld wages, so they'll have to keep working. Then, I'll get workers, and you'll earn your cut. Isn't that a win-win situation for both of us?"
Dax sighed. "You don't really deal with the nitty-gritty, so you wouldn't know, Mr. Fuller. If I hold back their wages, they'll just complain. That's when a labor dispute happens."
Vernon chuckled. "I run a factory, so I'm concerned about labor disputes and going to court. But you're just a middleman. What are you afraid of?
"Let me be straight with you. The other factories rob their workers similarly to this, earning them hundreds of thousands of dollars a year. I'm giving you the opportunity. It's up to you to take it."
Dax wasn't new to this practice, but jumping from one place to another for gigs like this was tiring. He wanted to find a big factory for a long-term partnership. It looked like his plan fell through again.
With a shrug, Dax replied, "Alright. I'll get you some workers this afternoon. I need your help in this. Can you get someone to take a fancy car for a spin around the factory?
"By then, I can brag to the workers that the factory is doing well and the boss is generous. They'll get paid on time, and there won't be any pay cuts."