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For today's 
GreenWeekFinale, we will be talking about a topic especially close to my heart, undocumented workers. Some of you may question what this has to do with the environment, a Green New Deal or the planet but bear with me.
GreenWeekFinale, we will be talking about a topic especially close to my heart, undocumented workers. Some of you may question what this has to do with the environment, a Green New Deal or the planet but bear with me.
The US Dept Labor estimates that about 57% of the country's agricultural workforce is undocumented with over half being of Hispanic origin (primarily Mexican). While the majority of these workers are in the Pacific Coast, PA has its fair share.
Farm workers work incredibly hard for paltry sums. The National Agricultural Workers Survey stated that the avg annual income of farm workers is between 15k and 25k, depending if they're an individual or a family. This figure includes income that some earn through other jobs.
25% of all farm workers had a family income under the federal poverty line. Though the Fair Labor Standards Act requires farms to pay min wage if a worker doesn't make it based on piece rates (aka a price per amount picked), there are tons of loopholes and wage theft.
These jobs have little security and are literal back-breaking work. The National Ag Safety Defense (NASD) states that farm workers are exposed to a massive variety of environmental hazards harmful to their health/well-being at rates much higher than other jobs
NASD states that "Farm workers suffer from increased rates of respiratory diseases, noise-induced hearing loss, skin disorders, certain cancers, chemical toxicity, and heat-related illnesses."
Under this presidency, the EPA has been under attack. One of the areas to experience cuts and rollbacks has been the agricultural sector. Last year, the EPA repealed a water pollution rule with the support of farmers who had long fought against it.
The EPA endorsed the safety of 2 pesticides linked to cancer and child brain damage. Farmers suffered under stricter EPA restriction despite agriculture being exempt from many Clean Water Act mandates (see Thurs thread for more info on CWA).
(read about it here "Environmental rollbacks give Trump rare win with farmers" https://politi.co/2IdaOHS via @politico)
While these changes have made farmers happy, worry grows for the environment + especially farm workers. While OSHA recommends a variety of protections, workers especially the undocumented, often do not receive protective gear because it is too expensive.
Farmworkers struggle with even getting a heat break. The Dept. of Labor states that thousands die of heat related illnesses and recommends water, rest and shade. But when wages depend on quantities harvested and farms are concerned about their bottom line, what can they do?
Now, in the midst of this pandemic, people have begun to worry about food shortages. Farmers and ranchers alike have stated that they are ready and able to step up for Americans and the growing need for food banks. They state that even with COVID-19, they will take the proper...
...precautions and get it done. Workers, now deemed essential, are out there toiling endlessly, with no protections, under threat of illness and deportation. ICE is still working and the EPA has abandoned them.
Last month, the EPA announced that it will not be penalizing industries for violations of routine monitoring in situations where the EPA agrees that COVID-19 was the cause of noncompliance. Wonderful for farm profits but devastating for those working in unsafe conditions.
Some counties in CA have given their workers special documents to ensure they wont be deported on their way to work but where are the protections for grocery runs or other necessary excursions.
Though many farms, including those in PA, have promised safer lodging for workers, face masks and handwashing stations, it's unclear if this is reality. https://www.pennlive.com/news/2020/04/pa-officials-announce-extra-regulations-to-shield-migrant-farm-workers-from-coronavirus.html
This entire week we have been talking about the human cost of policy change and it has never been more real than now. All of these policies are unacceptable and we must fight for those who cant and with those already in battle. Below are some organizations doing their damndest.
@UFWupdates has long fought for the rights of farmworkers and now is no exception. They are tackling Coronavirus issues head on and working to protect those who feed the country.
@FarmwrkrJustice works with @WeAreUnidosUS to empower migrant and seasonal workers on all aspects of life from living/working conditions, to health to safety to immigration status and justice.
@LCampesinas is an organization of women farmworkers based in California that strengthens women and girls so they can ensure their human rights.
@nfwministry is a faith based organization that supports farmworkers in organizing for justice and empowerment. They work nationally and alongside many other organizations.
@palegalaid has a program called the PA Farmworker Project (PFP) that provides legal assistance to migrant + seasonal farmworkers throughout PA. They host trainings to social service providers on farmworker rights + work w/ communities to educate farmworkers on their legal rights
Once again, this is not a comprehensive list so please please chime in with your favorite orgs! We have to do better to protect the environment and more importantly, the people that live and work in it. Pledge to vote and change the policies that harm us.
Pledge to vote: https://nextgenamerica.org/pledge-national/?utm_source=PA-3BRead
Sources here : Farmworkers, Mostly Undocumented, Become âEssentialâ During Pandemic https://www.nytimes.com/2020/04/02/us/coronavirus-undocumented-immigrant-farmworkers-agriculture.html?smid=tw-share
U.S. Deported Thousands Amid Covid-19 Outbreak. Some proved to be sick. https://www.nytimes.com/2020/04/18/us/deportations-coronavirus-guatemala.html?smid=tw-share
Sources here : Farmworkers, Mostly Undocumented, Become âEssentialâ During Pandemic https://www.nytimes.com/2020/04/02/us/coronavirus-undocumented-immigrant-farmworkers-agriculture.html?smid=tw-share
U.S. Deported Thousands Amid Covid-19 Outbreak. Some proved to be sick. https://www.nytimes.com/2020/04/18/us/deportations-coronavirus-guatemala.html?smid=tw-share
con't: The EPA appears to be using coronavirus to make huge concessions to polluters
https://www.vox.com/policy-and-politics/2020/3/29/21198674/coronavirus-epa-trump-regulations)
https://www.vox.com/policy-and-politics/2020/3/29/21198674/coronavirus-epa-trump-regulations)
