Farmworkers

Last week, the New York State legislature approved new protections for farmworkers, titled The Farm Laborers Fair Labor Practices Act, extending a number of labor rights to farmworkers for the first time in New York state.

On September 12, Governor Jerry Brown signed law AB 1066 approving overtime pay for farmworkers in the state of California.

In 2010, the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) filed a lawsuit against Evans Fruit in Yakima, Washington, one of the largest apple producers in the United States, following complaints of sexual harassment and retaliation towards the company’s workers.

For years, agricultural workers in the United States have experienced serious health risks related to the use of pesticides in the fields where they work. Studies have revealed links between pesticide exposure and diverse illnesses including cancer, bronchitis and asthma. Exposure is especially harmful for children, young people and pregnant women.