Rise In Contract Workers On U.S. Farms

Recent data from the US agricultural census indicates a notable increase in the utilization of contract workers on American farms, according to Melina Walling's report for the Associated Press (AP).

Contract workers, often comprising a significant proportion of migrant laborers, face hurdles in voicing concerns about their employment terms and are disproportionately affected by climate change-induced heat and extreme weather events.

This trend presents unique challenges for laborers, particularly regarding working conditions and exposure to climate change impacts.

Contract workers, often comprising a significant proportion of migrant laborers, face hurdles in voicing concerns about their employment terms and are disproportionately affected by climate change-induced heat and extreme weather events.

The US Department of Agriculture defines contract labor as including various entities hired to provide a workforce for agricultural operations.

The census data reveals a rise in farms employing migrant labor, both within operations already utilizing contract workers and across the agricultural sector. Advocates stress the importance of addressing the vulnerabilities faced by these workers, particularly in the context of climate change's exacerbating effects on farm laborers.

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