tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7171420941776673660.post5636877458904430516..comments2024-03-28T02:29:13.507-07:00Comments on Legal Ruralism: Farmville (Part III): Fruits of laborLisa R. Pruitthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16469550950363542801noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7171420941776673660.post-38156237820772309572011-10-18T15:19:31.662-07:002011-10-18T15:19:31.662-07:00As you point out, fear is something that prevents ...As you point out, fear is something that prevents farm workers from organizing or reporting working poor conditions. I think the power of this fear, however, is often underestimated. A worker can understand what they are legally entitled to, but there is such distrust for "the government" they are afraid to ask for it.<br /><br />Although this doesn't completely solve the problem, agencies like Cal/OSHA have reporting processes where workers can report violations anonymously. I've seen this done at local farms in the past and it works. A worker calls and Cal/OSHA shows up unannounced, almost always citing the farm for the violation.CEThttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02633830407602623200noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7171420941776673660.post-49014201687997026522011-10-12T11:44:56.147-07:002011-10-12T11:44:56.147-07:00Do you think this is something lawyers should do o...Do you think this is something lawyers should do on their own? Such as use their Pro Bono hours? I think something permanent needs to be put into place in order to better assist farm workers. On our ranch we have a contractor who brings us workers during harvest. The contractor we have does a know your rights presentation. Perhaps the best way for farm workers to know their legal options is for the contractors to inform them. Since one of the workers on my farm informed me of the lack of trust in the legal field, this might be a viable option.princesspeachhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06812874736023254802noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7171420941776673660.post-44798793668399432762011-10-11T22:59:19.960-07:002011-10-11T22:59:19.960-07:00I think it is important for legal organizations to...I think it is important for legal organizations to visit farms, especially in isolated areas--where it is hard for farm-workers to network with other people in their community. Given language and geographic barriers, it is important for legal workers to work harder to inform farm-workers of their rights. Hopefully the word will spread.Namorahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09284136143926208851noreply@blogger.com