May 7, 2020

Joint California ag statement on workers’ compensation executive order

In response to California Gov. Gavin Newsom’s Executive Order that extends temporary workers’ compensation benefits for COVID-19, a coalition of California agricultural organizations issued the following statement:

“As a critical infrastructure industry, agricultural businesses have been asked to continue providing our communities with safe and nutritious food during the COVID-19 crisis, and their employees – deemed essential by every level of government – have been asked to continue their critically important work. Agricultural employers have responded by enacting extraordinary measures to protect their employees and the public, all while struggling with major supply chain disruptions.

“This executive order will add more financial weight at a very difficult time. Instead, if the goal is to restart California’s economy, then the added economic burden of medical claims related to COVID-19 should be borne by the government, not the essential industries providing a public good during a global pandemic.

“Amid tremendous uncertainty, the agricultural community is working to protect the health and safety of our essential workforce while we continue a vital mission to grow, harvest, pack, process and ship hundreds of nutritious California commodities for families in our state and across the country.”

Agricultural Council of California

California Farm Bureau Federation

California Fresh Fruit Association

Western Growers