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WHAT IS IT?

Source:
http://commons.wikimedia.org/w
iki/File:US-DeptOfLabor-Seal.svg

http://dailysignal.com/wpcontent/uploads/usda-logo.jpg

Protects Migrant and

Seasonal workers by
requiring:
Adequate housing
Adequate transportation
Fair wages
Record Keeping
Clear Job Terms
Farm Labor Contractors to
register with Department of
Labor and acquire a license,
holding them accountable to
the act
Agricultural businesses be
joint-employers of
farmworkers, providing workers
protection under the law

ITS
HISTORY

The MSPA Act Stems

from
Advocates of Farm Workers
Documentary Harvest of
Shame in 1960
Labor Unions
Cesar Chavez
National Farm Workers
Association

Boycott Grapes; Xavier Viramontes; Offset, 1973;

San Francisco. (Xavier Viramontes/Courtesy of
American Friends Service Committee)

Farm Labor Contractor

Registration Act of 1963
two amendments in 1966 and
1974
Previously left out of legislation
because of profits and family
farming

WHO IS
COVERED?

Rafael is a farm worker from Arizona. He works

picking grapes every year, driving over five hours
from his home. He and his grandson Ricardo live
in a van in a store parking lot while they work
picking grapes. Farmworker Justice

Source: http://grist.org/food/nationalfarmworker-awareness-week-highlightsa-dirty-labor-plight/

Migrant Workers
Leave permanent
residence overnight
Employed in seasonal
or temporary
agricultural work
Seasonal Workers
Driven by day-haul to
place of seasonal or
temporary
agricultural work
Must be considered
an employee and not
a independent
contractor

WHO IS NOT
COVERED?

Immigrant labors
H-2A Guest worker Program

Year Round
Employees
Farm workers that stay at
the same place of
employment year round

http://www.foodsafetynews.com/files/2014/04/Farmworker
s-picking-strawberries.jpg

Source: http://grist.org/food/nationalfarmworker-awareness-week-highlights-adirty-labor-plight/

Dairy and Egg

Farmers
Farmworkers without
authorization to
work in the U.S.
Tabaco farmers
Family members of
employers of Farm
Labor Contractors

HOW IS IT
DOING?

Successes
Wages
Housing
Terms of job
File lawsuits against
FLCs and employers

Failures

Teresa is a farm worker

who left Oaxaca when
she was four and began
working in the fields
when she was eight.
Although she's only 32,
today she's totally
disabled by arthritis as a
result of the work.
Farmworker Justice

Department of Labor
lacks enforcement of
the act
Migrant and Seasonal
workers often feel
powerless
Many farmworkers not
protected by the act

WHAT CAN BE
DONE NOW?

Advocate and empower

Fred Ross, a social
worker who inspired
Cesar Chavez
More legal access for
farm laborers
Strengthen Unions
Policy Changes
Act should include all
agricultural workers
Immigration reform

More resources for

Department of Labor
to enforce Act
Higher fines for FLCs
and employers who
violate the Act