New York, New York – After nearly a century of denying farmworkers basic labor rights such as the right to collective bargaining, overtime pay, and a day of rest, today the New York legislature passed the Farmworkers Fair Labor Practices Act which would remedy many of the unjust labor practices and policies that the state’s farmworkers are subjected to. Frankie Miranda, Executive Vice President of Hispanic Federation, issued the following statement on the passage of the farmworkers bill:
“The men and women who work tirelessly to put food on our tables and sustain New York’s agricultural and culinary industries have been denied basic rights and dignity for far too long. It is about time that their hard labor and humanity is recognized and protected by the state. We commend the New York Legislature and Governor Cuomo for passing the Farmworkers Fair Labor Practices Act, which will begin to chip away at century old policies that have unjustly exempted New York’s farmworkers from the basic labor protections and rights that all other workers enjoy. It is unconscionable that some of the hardest working members of our state are denied basic labor protections. This bill will finally grant our farmworkers one day of rest, the right to unionize, and access to overtime pay.
The protections that this bill provides to farmworkers in New York are a big step in the right direction. But the fight is not over, Hispanic Federation will continue to advocate for overtime pay equity for farmworkers in front of the newly established wage board. By protecting our farmworkers, New York can continue to position itself as one of the largest economies in the world while providing fair and equitable labor protections for all New Yorkers.”
