At the end of February, we had our first of many upcoming meetings on the work ahead of us for the Farmworker Fair Labor Practices Act in New York State. New York’s agricultural industry is booming, but unfortunately it is at the expense of its laborers.
This legislation, which has been repeatedly introduced in the Assembly and Senate, would provide the right to a day of rest, overtime pay, workers’ compensation, and the right to collective bargaining, among other protections. These are basic protections afforded to workers in the United States from which farmworkers in New York State are excluded. Many belong to the immigrant community, and they are being relentlessly exploited; it must end.
We look forward to engaging with many of you over the coming weeks and months as we continue to advocate for the fair treatment of New York State’s farmworkers.
