Protection for Fieldworkers
It is in the hands of the State Legislature to approve better working conditions for the agricultural sector.
Trabajadores agrícolas en una granja en Georgia. Archivo / AP Crédito: Archivo / AP
This week, a caravan that began marching last month to draw attention on the inequality suffered by fieldworkers arrived in Albany.
Throughout their journey, the demonstrators have exposed to the general public the ways in which they are victims of labor injustice: They work between 60 and 70 hours per week and are denied overtime pay, days off and accident compensation, as well as the right to join a union. That is, unlike other workers, they have no protection.
It is estimated that the New York agricultural labor force employs between 80,000 and 100,000 workers.
A solution to the problems affecting these employees might be closer with the approval of the Farmworkers Fair Labor Practices Act (A.4762 Nolan/S.1291 Espaillat.)
Several voices have come forward in favor of the bill in the state legislature, but Republicans have the last word in granting better conditions to the agricultural sector.
We encourage the Legislature in Albany to take this step before the current session ends to allow farmers to finally reap the fruits of their efforts.
A report by the Office of the Comptroller has revealed that New York farms produced more than $6 million in goods in 2012. It is not fair that dignified treatment is denied to the people whose sweat allows us to have food on the table every day.
New York’s agricultural sector is one of the most robust in the country, and the tax incentives it enjoys allow it to stay in business and grow. It is time to share this success with the workers who toil in the fields.
