In a move reminiscent of David versus Goliath, the U.S. Department of Labor is stepping up to combat the abuses and exploitation faced by temporary migrant farmworkers. On Tuesday, they released a proposed rule, highlighting robust changes aimed at bolstering protections for these workers under the H-2A program.
Migrant Farmworker Protections : What’s in the Proposed Rule?
Acting secretary of labor, Julie Su, paints a picture, “Imagine an armor – this proposed rule is meant to strengthen it. Particularly for H-2A farm workers who face a barrage of labor abuses daily.” The intentions are clear – empowering workers to advocate for better treatment and ensuring that their employment doesn’t undercut or depress domestic farm workers.
Key points of the proposal:
- Enhanced anti-retaliation protections for labor organization activities.
- Refined criteria for farmworker termination, emphasizing fairness.
- Enhanced transportation safety, such as mandatory seatbelts in employer-provided vehicles.
For a democracy that thrives on the voice of its people, the public will have 60 days to weigh in once the proposal is published in the Federal Register.
The H-2A Program: A Quick Dive
Think of the H-2A program as a relief pitcher in baseball. When there’s no domestic player (or worker) to take the mound (or job), the H-2A program steps in, allowing U.S. agricultural employers to bring in foreign players for seasonal work. However, this is under the condition that these foreign recruits won’t hamper the wages or working conditions of the home team players.
