can object to being made to obey labor laws
BAKERSFIELD, CA – The U.S. Department of Agriculture should move forward with a proposed rule change that would require the agency to certify that all its contractors, subcontractors and suppliers comply with labor laws, the United Farm Workers urged. The union is disappointed with a decision this week by USDA to withdraw the proposed change, which was set to go into effect on Feb. 29, after getting some heat from business groups and growers who complain that being forced to obey labor laws protecting workers would impose a burden on them.
"How can growers and other businesses that do business with the USDA object to a rule requiring that they observe labor laws that protect farm workers?" UFW President Arturo Rodriguez said. "We need the USDA to help protect farm workers and consumers by setting an example of corporate social responsibility and implementing the new rule in the USDA procurement process. Moving forward with a code of compliance for the agricultural contractors from whom it purchases products is a good first step the USDA can take towards improving the working conditions of farm workers who are often exploited, abused and even killed by exposure to pesticides and extreme heat."
"For hundreds of thousands of immigrant farm workers, the nation’s labor laws are perhaps the only protection they have against abusive employers," Rodriguez continued. "When a contractor gets to violate our labor laws with impunity, we all suffer, not just the workers. We truly hope USDA officials will reconsider their decision."
The USDA could still re-introduce the proposed ruling.
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