Sisyphus in the FieldsSisyphus in the FieldsThe programs that aid migrants call to mind the The programs that aid migrants call to mind the

toils of Sisyphus. Why?toils of Sisyphus. Why?

Is there an alternative? Is there an alternative? Yes:Yes:

a) reform the labor marketa) reform the labor marketb) shift the burden of support from farmers to b) shift the burden of support from farmers to

others in the food chain and consumersothers in the food chain and consumers

Rather than reforming the migrant labor system, Rather than reforming the migrant labor system, the U.S. government has been persuaded to open the U.S. government has been persuaded to open the border gates to foreign farm workers, both the border gates to foreign farm workers, both documented and undocumented. Thus the documented and undocumented. Thus the federal government’s willingness to open the federal government’s willingness to open the border gates for migrant workers helps to produce border gates for migrant workers helps to produce wages and working conditions that American wages and working conditions that American

workers will not tolerateworkers will not tolerate

History of the Federal Assistance programs: History of the Federal Assistance programs: A history of neglect why? A history of neglect why?

Farmworkers not recognized as a permanent Farmworkers not recognized as a permanent feature of the U.S. farm system only in the 1960sfeature of the U.S. farm system only in the 1960s

The golden Era for farmworkersThe golden Era for farmworkers1965- 19751965- 1975

1964 – End of the Bracero program1964 – End of the Bracero programLabor Relations Law in CaliforniaLabor Relations Law in California

Cesar Chavez and Unionization of farmworkersCesar Chavez and Unionization of farmworkers

Wages increased from $.95 an hour in 1965 to 2.43 in Wages increased from $.95 an hour in 1965 to 2.43 in 1975- 156% increase1975- 156% increase

Farm Labor ThemesFarm Labor Themes

Farmers PerspectiveFarmers Perspective

Farm worker Advocates PerspectiveFarm worker Advocates Perspective

General vs. specific farm labor problems General vs. specific farm labor problems

The persistence of farm labor problems The persistence of farm labor problems reveals there are powerful incentives to maintain the status reveals there are powerful incentives to maintain the status

quo. quo. Keep the gates open. Keep the gates open.

Why Migrant Assistance Program?Why Migrant Assistance Program? Rather than regulate the labor market provide federal Rather than regulate the labor market provide federal

programs to get people out of agriculture. programs to get people out of agriculture. Programs were intended to overcome local neglect. They Programs were intended to overcome local neglect. They

were meant to be transitional.were meant to be transitional.

What is the Justification of Federal efforts for What is the Justification of Federal efforts for Migrants?Migrants?

History of Farmworker Assistance ProgramsHistory of Farmworker Assistance Programs

Migrant health program-1962Migrant health program-1962 Migrant Education program-1964Migrant Education program-1964 Migrant Head Start program-1964Migrant Head Start program-1964 High School Equivalency Program-1967High School Equivalency Program-1967 College Assistance Migrant Program-1972College Assistance Migrant Program-1972 Job Training for Migrant and Seasonal Farm Job Training for Migrant and Seasonal Farm

Workers -1974Workers -1974 Other programs: Food Stamps, WIC, Other programs: Food Stamps, WIC,

Farmworker Legal Services, USDA Housing Farmworker Legal Services, USDA Housing

The endless quest in the The endless quest in the 1990s1990s

Fruit and vegetable consumption on the riseFruit and vegetable consumption on the rise Imports of FVH commodities have been on the Imports of FVH commodities have been on the

rise but by small amounts; NAFTA will shift rise but by small amounts; NAFTA will shift production to Latin America but U.S. farmers production to Latin America but U.S. farmers remain competitive. Most of the production will remain competitive. Most of the production will remain in the United States.remain in the United States.

Mechanization will not replace workers unless it is Mechanization will not replace workers unless it is economical.economical.

Farm unions-prospects are poorFarm unions-prospects are poor Continued Immigration also lowers changes of Continued Immigration also lowers changes of

mechanization.mechanization.