Agricultural Worker Protection

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The fact shows that agricultural industries have more risks to get accidents and fatalities during the working hours. Then, some of the workers in agricultural industries are migrant and seasonal workers. They are the core of the agricultural sector in economy. Accident is not the only thing to be reduced but there are more problems should be reduced such as low payment, bad working conditions, and low standard housing accommodations especially for migrant workers. If this is not secure working places, there are many things to do to make this the same secure as other industries.

Migrant and Seasonal Agricultural Worker Protection Act (MSPA) was launched to protect the rights of migrant workers. Law and regulation have been made to make this in better conditions. There are some minimum requirements to be completed before hiring a worker. Agriculture companies, farm labor contractors, and agricultural associations have to be obedient with the rules and procedures.

They are allowed to recruit and hire some workers but the first condition is they are registered in the Department of Labor. Then, agricultural and employer associations must work together with farm labor contractors to make sure they follow all the rules with the MSPA.  No working before all employees read and signs the terms and conditions. They have to be given a written copy of the contract. In addition, if the workers need a copy at any point during their employment, employers have to give it.

Another condition is that salary has to be paid on time since it is already their right. Then, the companies are forbidden to break the terms of their contract with employees at any point unless there is legitimate justification for doing so. The housing and accommodation for the employees have to be built based on the state standards of health and safety.  In term of transportation, migrant workers have to be secured with proper vehicles with licensed drivers and insurance.


Based on the rules set by MSPA, it is allowed for the migrant farmers and seasonal agricultural workers to complain with wage and working hours. They also can set a private lawsuit if there is something unaccomplished.

 

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