The Farmworker Project Calls for Justice During the COVID-19 Pandemic

During the peak of the coronavirus pandemic, farmworkers were deemed essential and had to continue to report to work. Many of these farmworkers are undocumented in the United States, which resulted in them not qualifying for the government bailout package that many other citizens received. The meat industry has a horrible reputation because of the nature of their meat production as well as the horrible exploitation of its unprotected workers - as it should. The animals being killed for consumption are treated ghastly, but the treatment of slaughterhouse workers is awful beyond belief. Aside from the fact that the working conditions are extremely hazardous, some meat industry workers that are providing for a family of 3 or more are considered to be below the poverty line based on their annual pay. Seems kind of ridiculous for one of the most highly profiting industries in the U.S., right?

Animal cruelty and bad working conditions are significant contributors to people making the switch to a plant-based diet, but let’s not ignore that farmworkers are not being treated humanely either. As consumers of the fruits and vegetables that we know and love and simply as human beings, it is important to recognize that farmworkers need justice - now. During the peak of the coronavirus pandemic, farmworkers were deemed essential and had to continue to report to work. Many of these farmworkers are undocumented in the United States, which resulted in them not qualifying for the government bailout package that many other citizens received.

The Farmworker Project says,

“As infection numbers rise and uncertainty grows, 2.3 million undocumented, tax paying farmworkers must go to work or face termination”.

Nancy Silva, a 43-year-old immigrant from Mexico says, “It’s like suddenly they realized we are here contributing” (Jordan M., p. 4). Working in clementine groves in California, she has spent most of her life in the United States running from law enforcement but is now receiving praise and encouragement to return to work from the government, telling her that at this time she cannot be arrested. The Department of Homeland Security deems farmworkers like Ms. Silva as “essential” to the country. That’s the thing – immigrants ARE essential to the country and its food supply chain. However, what immigrants can do for our country is not the full extent of their value and does not dictate their right to job, home, and food security. If we consider farmworkers essential enough to return to work in dangerous conditions, they should be essential enough to receive a government bailout package to support them through the pandemic (and a raise in pay otherwise). Farmworkers deserve protection, security, and of course – respect.

By supporting The Farmworker Project, you are advocating for the improvement of the lives of farmworkers through technology and education. Their current campaign is called TrabajosDelCampo.com, which is “an anonymous Job Review Platform for migrant and seasonal farmworkers in North America. The goal is to improve the working and living conditions of farmworkers across the US and Canada by providing a platform to communicate freely about farm job working conditions” (The Farmworker Project, p.1).

To support COVID-19 benefits for farmworkers and a path toward legal status, sign this petition.

If you’d like to donate, DO NOT donate through the Change.org petition, this money will not go directly to the cause. Donate here.

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Sources

Jordan, M. (2020, April 02). Farmworkers, Mostly Undocumented, Become 'Essential' During Pandemic. Retrieved August 29, 2020, from https://www.nytimes.com/2020/04/02/us/coronavirus-undocumented-immigrant- farmworkers-agriculture.html

Ramgopal, K., & Lehren, A. (2020, August 10). Small farmers left behind in Trump administration's COVID-19 relief package. Retrieved August 29, 2020, from https://www.nbcnews.com/business/economy/small-farmers-left-behind-trump- administration-s-covid-19-relief-n1236158

T. (n.d.). Farmworker Transparency Campaign. Retrieved August 29, 2020, from https://thefarmworkerproject.org/trabajosdelcampo