A new federal bill, named the Fairness for Farm Workers Act, is making waves as lawmakers strive to rectify the ongoing lack of overtime and minimum wage protections for farm workers. U.S. Sen. Alex Padilla (D-CA) and U.S. Rep. Rául M. Grijalva (D-AZ) are spearheading this legislative effort by introducing the bill in both congressional chambers.
The bill aims to amend the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938, with a specific focus on ensuring fair wages and compensation for agricultural workers. It proposes a phased implementation of overtime pay over four years, gradually reducing the number of hours required for overtime eligibility. By 2027, the standard 40-hour workweek will be achieved, with overtime compensation set at one and a half times the regular rate.
Critics argue that the conventional 40-hour workweek is ill-suited for the agricultural sector, which operates under different operational dynamics and often demands longer hours. Nonetheless, versions of this bill have been introduced in recent years, including by Padilla and Vice President Kamala Harris during her tenure as a California senator.
Sen. Padilla, who actively participated in the United Farm Workers' Take Our Jobs campaign, stands as a strong ally of the UFW Foundation. He is determined to rectify the historical exclusion of farm workers from fair overtime pay, emphasizing the essential role they play in feeding millions of families across the country.
The Fairness for Farm Workers Act of 2023 encompasses provisions such as time-and-a-half overtime pay for all agricultural workers, the removal of exemptions to overtime requirements, and the preservation of the family farm exemption. Co-sponsored by multiple senators, including Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), and Bernie Sanders (I-VT), the bill aims to end what UFW President Teresa Romero refers to as a "racist exclusion" of agricultural workers from the Fair Labor Standards Act.
By promoting equitable wage practices and extending overtime protections, this legislation strives to ensure that farm workers receive the same rights and benefits as workers in other industries across America.
Source : wisconsinagconnection