Farmworkers Face Wildfires
Photo Credit and Caption: Wildfires seen from Oregon’s Arlyn Vineyard
As wildfires rage on the West Coast, farmworkers continue to harvest crops. On top of the coronavirus pandemic, they have faced soaring summer temperatures, unpredictable fires, and dense smoke. Some companies, like Oregon's Arlyn Vineyard, have prioritized health and safety over profits, but there's more we can all do year-round to protect these essential workers and valuable members of our community.
Many are immigrants. There are about 2.4 million farmworkers in the United States and the majority are immigrants. Foreign-born workers make up 75% of the workforce and about 19% of farmworkers are migrants. They often travel through dangerous routes along the U.S.-Mexico border and encounter cartels and vigilantes. Since 2006, an estimated 120,000 migrants have disappeared near the border.
With limited protections. The Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) guarantees most workers a minimum wage and overtime pay. FLSA excluded farmworkers until 1966 and still lacks critical protections. Overtime pay provisions do not apply to farmworkers and small farms do not have to adhere to the minimum wage. Small farms are defined as "any farm that employs fewer than roughly seven workers in a calendar quarter."⠀
And, hazardous work. In the last National Census Of Fatal Occupational Injuries report, farmers, ranchers, and other agricultural workers were listed among the top 10 most hazardous fields. Everything from pesticides to farm machinery can pose significant risks. While they may not take on the most dangerous tasks, children (as young as nine years old in one state, under specific circumstances) work on farms, too.
Become an Active Supporter. Active supporters are also informed supporters. Thanks to the work of the organizations below (among others!), we can all be informed advocates and amplify farmworkers' stories on social media and with our friends:
United Farm Workers - founded in the 1960s, they "help keep founder Cesar Chavez' dream alive by taking part in critical campaigns." Among other things, they advocate for legislation that will protect farmworkers.
Farmworker Justice - they empower farmworkers across a range of issues, including improving wages and working conditions. They file lawsuits on behalf of farmworkers, too. You can support their work by buying their exclusive face mask.⠀
Donate to Wildfire Relief
The Sierra Club is leading a campaign to support communities impacted by the wildfires and they are centering aid for farmworkers and other essential workers and marginalized communities.