Sarah Alvarez-Michigan Radio Newsroom
The Michigan Farm Bureau is starting a six month series to educate farmers about laws that apply to migrant workers and youth labor. Michigan’s agriculture industry is dependent on migrant labor. The industry is still dealing with the effect of a harsh report on worker conditions by the Michigan Civil Rights Commission.
Hannah Stevens is with Michigan State University Extension, one of the sponsors of the series.
In agriculture it’s complicated because there immigration issues there’s housing issue, you know, so many regulatory agencies that look closely at management of labor. I think particularly it’s a sensitive topic.
Stevens says that pressure to comply with labor laws is also coming from retailers.
The retail stores, Meijer’s and Walmart’s and all these, are beginning to demand that there’s certain responsibility that growers have in terms of managing their workforce. They may reject Michigan produce if they don’t feel that’s being handled correctly. That may put growers in a very awkward position.
The farm bureau expects only about 25% of growers in the state will attend their seminars. The seminars will run from February to July.
