Labor

GAO: More info needed to protect workers from pesticide exposure

Farmworkers exposed to agricultural pesticides need additional information on how to protect themselves, according to the Government Accountability Office. According to a news release, since 2015, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has had a Worker... more »

Funding for ag labor and wildfire research included in grant program

Two new projects designed and led by University of California Merced researchers will address challenges facing many Californians – wildfire recovery and agricultural labor – but will also have global reach. Both are funded through... more »

DOL issues final rule to modernize H-2A temporary ag labor certification program

The U.S. Department of Labor announced Jan. 15 a final rule that modernizes the H-2A Temporary Agricultural Labor Certification Program. According to a news release, the Department’s Employment and Training Administration, and Wage and Hour... more »

Washington ag groups plea for fast-track farm worker vaccinations

As farmers across Washington state prepare for the first wave of nearly 15,000 guest workers to arrive in the first quarter of 2021, leading agricultural groups are appealing recently renewed state COVID-19 emergency rules to... more »

Congressmen call on USDA to prioritize farmworker safety funding

Representatives Jimmy Panetta, D-California; Jim Costa, D-California; Salud Carbajal, D-California; Dan Newhouse, R-Washington; Doug LaMalfa, R-California and Fred Upton, R-Michigan, led 70 colleagues in a bipartisan letter sent Jan. 11 to the USDA urging it... more »

Employers not required to continue providing FFCRA leave

After much heated negotiation in passing Stimulus 2.0, Congress reached a compromise on employee COVID-19 leave, allowing the leave requirements of the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) to expire on Dec.31, 2020, but continuing tax... more »

New Ontario Agriculture Worker Safety and Awareness Certificate launched

The Ontario Federation of Agriculture has launched an online training program for workers new to the agricultural sector. The program was created by the Ontario Federation of Agriculture (OFA) in partnership with the University of Guelph... more »

Michigan cherry farmer pushes to get COVID-19 vaccine for workers

Since northern Michigan received the first doses of the COVID-19 Vaccine almost three weeks ago, many are wondering when they will be able to receive the vaccine. According to a report by Up North Live,... more »