November 8, 2024
Know your rights as a worker in the United States. Housing standard for migrant workers
As we already learned on the blog about rights for H-2A and H-2B workers, the H-2 program has different types of guarantees to protect workers under this program in the United States. However, we will focus on housing and the standards it must meet to be considered safe and healthy.
As an H-2A migrant worker, you have the right to free, safe and healthy housing. But what does that mean?
Safe and healthy housing must be free of plagues, such as cockroaches, bed bugs or any other pest. It must be a safe space intended only for the use of workers so they can safely keep their belongings. Housing must be free and also safe and healthy for anyone living in it.
It is important to clarify that H-2A workers must be provided with free, safe and healthy housing. H-2B workers do not have this benefit.
For H-2B workers, even if free housing is not required, it should meet the same health and safety standards. The employer cannot charge more than what is specified in the job order. ATTENTION: : If you are assigned a home on a mandatory basis and you have no other option but to pay for it, contact our team, we might be able to support you. If it is mandatory housing it should be free.
If your home is neither safe nor healthy, contact OSHA, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration can help you through inspections to ensure that your workplace and home meet established health standards and regulations. In many states, the state housing agency can also help—call us for information specific to your state.
If you have questions about this or any other work-related matter, contact our team from SOL, or by calling us Monday through Friday from 9 am to 5 pm (from Mexico at 800 5901773, from the United States at 1 855 234 9699, from elsewhere at 55 52 11 9397).
Our team might be able to offer free and confidential advice.
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