how to stop bad treatment of farm workers

1) Support organized labor. Labor unions play an important role in minimizing exploitation among agricultural workers by advocating for higher wages, improved living conditions, and safer work environments.

Full Answer

Are working conditions for farmworkers and food production workers safe?

Currently, working conditions for farmworkers and food production workers contribute to health disparities. As expressed in APHA policies, a sustainable food system must be grounded in safe working conditions, fair wages, and human rights protections for individuals employed in agriculture and food production.

Why is it important to protect farmworkers?

No farmworker should have to suffer harm caused by pesticide exposure. A serious farmworker injury changes lives forever, for families, friends and entire communities. The health and welfare of our farmworkers is also essential to our abundant and healthful food supply.

What can consumers do to improve working conditions for agricultural workers?

Consumers also have been engaged directly in efforts with agricultural workers to pressure firms to pay living wages and improve working conditions. The Coalition of Immokalee Workers (CIW) organized a campaign to secure a modest increase in pay for the tomatoes they harvested.

How can we protect farmworkers from exposure to pesticides?

When we identify a risk concern for farmworkers, we require risk management measures — such as requiring personal protective equipment or requiring people to wait longer before re-entering treated fields. EPA encourages the use of modifications such as special packaging designed to reduce exposure to workers who mix and load pesticide products.

Why are farm workers not receiving federal relief?

Due to the seasonal nature of their work, and other eligibility requirements many farmworkers are not receiving federal COVID-19 relief such as the Families First Coronavirus Response Act.

What are the health risks of working on a farm?

Long term, farmworkers live with a higher risk of health threats like cancer, birth defects and infertility, neurological disorders, and respiratory problems.

How many H2A workers are there in California?

In the third quarter of fiscal year 2020, the Department of Labor certified requests from California agricultural employers for more than 20,000 workers under the H-2A program. Although employers are supposed to provide H-2A workers with free housing that meets “ all applicable safety standards ,” employees regularly experience unsafe conditions such as rat infestations, crowding, broken windows, and toilets that don’t work. Even H2A farmworker housing that complies with requirements allows high occupancy that makes COVID-19 social distancing mandates impossible to execute, amplifying exposure risk.

How do pesticides get into communities?

Pesticides also find their way into communities through air, water, soil, and food. This especially puts families, and young children with developing nervous systems, in harm’s way.

What are the health risks of pesticides?

Far too many workers on conventional farms are poisoned by pesticides, and suffer from headaches, nausea and asthma and other breathing difficulties. Long term, farmworkers live with a higher risk of health threats like cancer, birth defects and infertility, neurological disorders, and respiratory problems. The latter may be most important right now, given the confluence of COVID-19 and wildfires.

Do farm workers get N95 masks?

As of late August, United Farm Worker (UFW) polling showed that 84 percent of workers had not received protective N95 masks from their employers. In addition to sick leave, workers also deserve hazard pay to compensate for the difficult conditions brought forth by the pandemic and extreme weather events.

Is agriculture a dangerous industry?

Dangerous Work with Inadequate Protections. Even without climate change, agriculture is already one of the most hazardous industries in America. As average temperatures rise and heat waves and wildfires get more frequent and severe, farmworkers will be at an ever-heightened risk of heat- and smoke-related illnesses.

Why is OSHA important?

OSHA standards and enforcement of them have been effective in preventing work-related disability, death, and lost productivity. For example, a 1990s OSHA enforcement program targeted meatpacking plants because of high injury rates, particularly for musculoskeletal injuries caused by ergonomic hazards.

What is the Equitable Food Initiative?

The Equitable Food Initiative, for example, is a partnership of farmworker groups, businesses, and social justice organizations that has developed labor standards and training programs for the mutually beneficial goals of improving working conditions and producing safer food.

What is the EPA's regulation on pesticides?

In January 2017, EPA published a separate regulation, the Certification of Pesticide Applicators, to improve protections for those who handle, mix, and apply restricted-use pesticides.

What agency is responsible for coordinating with OSHA?

The U.S. Department of Agriculture to coordinate with OSHA and the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health in an analysis of the health impact of food safety regulations to ensure that these regulations do not adversely affect workers’ health.

How do unions help workers?

Unions serve as a mechanism for workers to negotiate with employers to provide livable wages, health benefits, and safe working conditions. Unions have a positive effect on both unionized workers and non-union workers with respect to wages, fringe benefits, pay inequality, and working conditions. [43] .

What is the purpose of the Department of Agriculture?

Department of Agriculture, food production businesses, and organizations involved in establishing metrics evaluating food production to increase consumer education and awareness regarding the human cost of food production as a way to incentivize meaningful consumption and recognition of workers.

How many states do not require workers compensation insurance?

Moreover, despite high injury and fatality rates among farmworkers, at least 15 states do not require agricultural employers to carry workers’ compensation insurance.

What is Stop Unpaid Wages?

Stop Unpaid Wages offers legal assistance to farmworkers in California and helps them hold farm employers accountable. Unpaid Wages. The same National Agricultural Workers Survey found that about 83 percent of farmworkers are paid by the hour, about 11 percent were paid by the piece, and about 6 percent were salaried or had other payment methods.

What are the three things that have helped keep wages for immigrant farmworkers low?

Three things have helped keep wages for immigrant farmworkers low: Consolidation, immigration policies and free trade agreements.

Why are farm jobs low wage?

One of the reasons why farm jobs are usually low wage is because of the federal law regarding minimum wage and overtime pay requirements. Farmworkers who work on large farms are entitled to a minimum wage and overtime pay.

How do farm workers come into contact with pesticides?

They come into contact with toxic pesticides by breathing them, coming in contact with plants with pesticide residue, and having them spayed or spilled accidentally. Sadly, most cases of pesticide exposure usually go unreported. Exposure to pesticides can affect farmworkers in serious ways.

What is the purpose of immigration policies?

The U.S. government has devised immigration policies that bring in a new group of farmworkers willing to work in the country for low wages. Efforts by immigrants to have their pay raised is often undermined by the repetitive introduction of new workers to substitute protesting farmworkers.

How does pesticide exposure affect farm workers?

Exposure to pesticides can affect farmworkers in serious ways. They can cause persistent headaches, severe nausea and vomiting, dizziness, burns, and rushes. Moreover, prolonged exposure can lead to serious problems such as cancer, sterility, and birth defects.

How many states have worker's compensation?

Within the U.S. and U.S. territories, thirty-six states are required by law to offer worker’s compensation benefits. In other 17 states, they offer worker’s compensation as an option. Besides being unable to access worker’s compensation benefits, most farmworkers are not able to secure Social Security payments.