Farmworker day seeks law changes

To that end, Farmworker Advocacy Day will be held in Albany on May 4. Farmworkers and their advocates will meet with state legislators to discuss legislation that would provide farmworkers with:

* improvements in minimum wage so that farmworkers' minimum wage automatically increases along with the minimum wage of all other workers;

* disability insurance;

* the right to collectively bargain with their employer;

* overtime pay;

* protection from pesticides; and

* a day of rest.

Catholics involved

"Be aware that there are farmworkers," she said. "It was something I never gave any thought to. They tend to be invisible."

According to event organizers, more than 36,000 farms in the state generate almost $3 billion worth of livestock, dairy products, fruits, vegetables and field crops. Yet the people who work on the farms are among the most impoverished and vulnerable groups in the country.

Poor lives

Farmworkers at one farm she is familiar with begin their day at 5 a.m. and are bused to the farm 45 miles away from the camp where they live. They break for lunch at noon and then work until 6 p.m., not returning to the camp until 7:30. The routine varies on Sunday only in that they work until 4 p.m. or 5 p.m.

Despite harvesting healthy food, many farmworkers are malnourished, Ms. Moya said. Many don't have transportation to grocery stores; and since they work seven days a week, they don't even have time to go to the store. Other farmworkers are afraid to go into the community because they are often met with racism; many people assume that all farm workers are illegal aliens.

Low wages

Farmworkers are paid in a variety of ways, from an hourly rate below the federal minimum wage to $5 to $6 per crate of harvested food.

Opponents worry that granting the farmworkers requests for minimum wage, disability insurance and overtime pay will cause the cost of food to increase. "It's another excuse," Ms. Moya said. "Instead of making excuses, [they should] sit down and evaluate why we're asking for that."

Justice issue

"The Church calls those who aren't poor to be in solidarity with those who are," Ms. DiTommaso said. "That solidarity is going to cost something. It cost Jesus His life."

(Those interested in participating in Farmworker Advocacy Day can call 453-6695 for more information.)

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