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May2018

Workingwith

FarmLaborContractors

LaborManagementGuidebook

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TableofContents

PurposeofThisGuidebook...........................................................................................................................................3

WhatisaFarmLaborContractor(FLC)orFarmLaborContractorEmployee(FLCE)?..................................................4

FindingaFarmLaborContractorWhoisRegistered.....................................................................................................5

WhattoDoWhenHiringaFarmLaborContractor.......................................................................................................6

Grower’sChecklistforWorkingwithaFLCoranycorrespondingFLCE........................................................................8

IdenOfyingHumanTrafficking.....................................................................................................................................10

PuRngThisGuidanceintoAcOon...............................................................................................................................12

Acknowledgement......................................................................................................................................................13

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PurposeofThisGuidebookComplyingwithalllawsandregulaOonsisexpectedforallstakeholdersinvolvedinagricultureproducOon.ThiscanbecomecomplicatedwhenuOlizingaFarmLaborContractor(FLC)andrequiresagoodunderstandingofyourobligaOonsinthisrelaOonship.

AgriculturalemployerswhousetheservicesofaFarmLaborContractor(oranemployeeofthem)arealmostalwaysinasituationofjointemploymentwiththeFLCinregardstotheemployees.

Whereajointemploymentrelationshipexists,eachoftheemployersmustensurethattheemployeereceivesallemploymentlegalrights,suchasaccurateandtimelydisclosureofthetermsandconditionsofemployment,completewagestatements,wagepaymentswhendue,safeandadequatehousingandtransportation.Bothpartiesmaybeheldliableifeitherpartyfailstocomplywiththelaw.H-2ALaborContractors(H-2ALCs)arerequiredtoberegisteredundertheMigrantandSeasonalAgriculturalWorkerProtectionAct(MSPA)andareobligatedtomeetallFLCrequirementsforbothH-2Aandallcorrespondingworkers.InadditiontomeetingallFLCrequirements,therearesomespecificrequirementsofH-2ALCsthatarenotedinthisdocument.Thishandbookisdesignedtohelpyoubetterunderstand:

-whatisaFarmLaborContractorandwhatisFarmLaborContractorEmployee?

-whataremyobligationstotheworkershiredbyanFLC?

-canIbeliablefortheFLCsactionsorinaction?

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WhatisaFarmLaborContractor(FLC)orFarmLaborContractorEmployee(FLCE)?AFarmLaborContractor1(FLC)orFarmLaborContractorEmployee2(FLCE)issomeonewhoreceivescompensationinreturnforprovidinganyofthefollowingservicestomigrantand/orseasonalagricultureworkers:

o Furnishing–providingworkersasneededorwanted

o Recruiting–theprocessofattractingorselectingsomeoneforajob

o Employing–givingworktosomeone

o Soliciting–askingforortryingtoobtainsomeonetowork

o Hiring–employingsomeonetoworkforwages

o Transporting–drivingworkerstoandfromthefield

o Housing–facilitymustcomplywithfederalandstatesafetyandhealthstandardsOftentimesanFLCisknownasacrewleader,supervisororcrewboss.TheMigrantandSeasonalAgriculturalWorkerProtectionAct(MSPA)requiresanFLCorFLCEtoobtainfederalcertificateofregistrationpriortoperforminganyfarmlaborcontractingactivities.Beforeperforminganylaborcontractingactivity,anFLCand/orFLCEmustberegisteredwiththeU.S.DOLandobtainacertificateofregistration.Inaddition,yourstatemayhaveadditionallaborlaworFLCrequirements.IfyouhaveadditionalquestionsrelatedtothedefinitionorroleofanFLC/FLCEyoucancalltheWageandHourDivision'stoll-freehelpline:

1-866-4USWAGE(1-866-487-9243)TTY:1-877-889-5627Monday-Friday8a.m.to5p.m.ContacttheWageandHourDivision3

1Agriculturalemployers,agriculturalassociationsandtheiremployeesarenotincludedintheterm.2AFarmLaborContractorEmployee(FLCE)isapersonemployedbyaFLCwhoperformsfarmlaborcontractingactivitiesontheirbehalf.3hgps://www.dol.gov/whd/contact_us.htm

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FindingaFarmLaborContractorWhoisRegisteredTolegallyoperateasFLCs,individualsandcompaniesmustregister4withtheU.S.DepartmentofLabor(USDOL).Additionally,anFLCE,anyemployeeofanFLCwhoperformfarmlaborcontractingactivities,mustalsoregisterwithUSDOL.Therearespecialregistrationrequirementsforfarmlaborcontractorsthatintendtohouse,transport,ordriveamigrantorseasonalagriculturalworker.

RegisteredFLCListing

Thislistcontainsthenameandphysicaladdressofallcurrentcertificateofregistrationholders,aswellastheexpirationdateofthecertificateofregistrationandthecertificatenumbergeneratedbytheDOLWageandHourDivision.Thelistalsoindicatesifthecontractorhasbeenauthorizedtohouseworkers,tousevehiclestotransportworkers,ortodrivesuchvehicles.

LinktoMSPARegisteredFLCListing:https://www.dol.gov/whd/regs/statutes/FLCList.htm

RegisteredFLCEListing

ThelistcontainsthenameofallcurrentFLCEcertificateholdersandthefarmlaborcontractorwhosenameappearsoneachemployee’scertificateofregistration,aswellasthestartdate,expirationdate,andthecertificatenumbergeneratedbytheWageandHourDivision.ThelistalsoindicatesiftheFLCEhasbeenauthorizedtodrivevehiclesusedtotransportmigrantorseasonalagriculturalworkers.

LinktoMSPARegisteredFLCElisting:https://www.dol.gov/whd/regs/statutes/FLCEList.htm

IneligibleFLCs&FLCEs

USDOLmaintainsalistofindividualsandcorporationswhoseauthorizationtooperateasafarmlaborcontractororanemployeeofafarmlaborcontractorhasbeenrevoked.TodeterminewhetheracontractorhasbeendeclaredineligiblebyWageHour,gotothelink:https://www.dol.gov/whd/regs/statutes/mspa_debar.htm

BESTPRACTICE:

AlwaysvalidateeachFLC’sregistrationnumberontheUSDOLwebsitetohelpensureitiscurrentandthattheFLChasnotbeendeclared“ineligible.”ThiswebsiteisalsoavailabletohelpensureanemployeeoftheFLC,anFLCEhasnotbeendeclared“ineligible”.

4Agriculturalassociationsaretypicallynotconsideredfarmlaborcontractorsanddonothavetoregister.

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WhattoDoWhenHiringaFarmLaborContractor

TheMigrantandSeasonalAgriculturalWorkerProtectionAct(MSPA)requiresallFLC’sorFLCE’stohaveavalidcertificateofregistrationwithproperendorsements.IftheFLCisdriving,transporting,orhousingworkers,thecertificatemusthaveendorsementsforthoseactivities.Growersshouldaskfor:

• Certificateofregistration–requestacopyoftheFLCandanycorrespondingFLCE’sfederalcertificateofregistrationandanystatelicensethatmayberequired.Theregistrationcertificateandendorsementcheck-boxeslooklikethis.

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AdditionalFLCLegalRequirementsinclude:

• properlypayingtheirworkers,• maintainingcompletedI-9forms,• hiringworkersatoraboveminimumagerequirements,• trainingtheirworkers,• notassigningtasksthatlegallyaworkershouldnotbeassigned,• complianthousingaccommodations,ifFLCisauthorizedtoprovidehousing,and• legal,safetransportationwithappropriatevehicleinsuranceandlicensing,ifFLCis

authorizedtoprovidetransportation.5

BESTPRACTICES:

1. ConsidercheckingreferencesofanyFLCandanycorrespondingFLCEyouareconsideringhiring.

2. Duetopotentialjoint-employmentliabilityyoumayhavewhenworkingwithanFLC,considerverifyingthattheFLC’spracticesmeetalllegalrequirementslistedabove.

3. Youcanalsodirectlymanagesomeoralloftheprocesseslistedabove.4. Considerpayingallworkersdirectlytoensureaccurateandtimelypaymentofwages

andtaxes.

5See:FarmLaborContractorCerOficaOonofRegistraOonformWH-511(page6ofthisguidebook).

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Grower’sChecklistforWorkingwithaFLCoranycorrespondingFLCEPriortoaFLCprovidingservices,confirmtheFLC:� Hasavalidfederalcertificateofregistration6andappropriatevaliddriver’slicenseswiththem(and

theirFLCEsifapplicable)atalltimes� Hasproofofpostingofallrequiredpostersandannouncements� IsauthorizedforALLservicesbeingprovidedforthegrower:

Ø Housing� Properhousingendorsementforhousingactivities� Currentpre-occupancyhousinginspectioncertificateforeachfacility� H-2ALCsmustprovidehousingatnocosttoH-2Aworkersandtoworkersin

correspondingemploymentwhoarenotreasonablyabletoreturntotheirresidencewithinthesameday

� H-2ALCsmustprovideeachcoveredworkerwiththreemealsperday,atnomorethantheDOLspecifiedcost7,orfurnishfreeandconvenientcookingandkitchenfacilitieswhereworkerscanpreparetheirownmeals

Ø Transportation–requirethefollowingonallvehicle(s):� PropertransportationendorsementontheFLCandFLCEregistrationcard� Appropriateautoinsurancecoverage� Proofvehicle(s)areregisteredandregistrationfeesarepaid� Proofofperiodicsafetychecksandpreventativemaintenance,asrequiredbylaw� H-2ALCsmustprovidealltransportationtoincludeinboundandoutboundaswellas

dailytransportationatnocostØ Driving–requirethefollowing8:

� ProperdrivingendorsementontheFLCregistrationcard� Doctor’scertificate� Appropriatevaliddriver’slicense

� Understandsfieldsanitationrequirementsandhasreachedagreementwithgrowerregardingwho(GrowerorFLC)9willprovidefieldsanitationforworkers(potabledrinkingwater,single-usecups,toiletsandhandwashingfacilitieswithsoapandsingle-usetowels)

� HascompletedI-9recordsforallworkers� Hashiredworkersatoraboveminimumagerequirementsandwillnotassigntasksthatlegallya

workershouldnotbeassigned10� Isclearaboutwho(GrowerorFLC)willprovidetrainingforworkers� HasdocumentaOonofworkerscompensaOoninsurance(ifworkersareH-2Aandcheckifyourstate

6SeeprevioussecOon,“FindingaFarmLaborContractorWhoisRegistered”,forresourcestodeterminethevalidityofafederalcertificateofregistration,foraFLCandaFLCE. 7hgps://www.foreignlaborcert.doleta.gov/meal_travel_subsistence.cfm.8Note:FLCEsmustmeettheserequirementsifdriving9FieldsanitaOonmustbeprovidedbyGrowerand/orFLC.10hgps://www.dol.gov/general/topic/youthlabor/agriculturalemployment

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hasaddiOonalinsurancerequirements)11.� FLChasprovidedtheinformationaslistedintheMSPAWH-516disclosureformorH-2ALChas

providedcopyofH-2ALaborCertification(9142)toallworkersUponcompletionofwork,growersshouldrequirethefollowingdocumentationfromtheFLC:� Copyofitemizedwagestatementsgiventoworkersandpayrollrecordsforeachpayperiod12� Copiesofyear-endW-2’s� Proofofpaymentofallemploymenttaxes� H-2ALCsmustguaranteetooffereachcoveredworkeremploymentforatotalnumberofhoursequal

toatleast75%oftheworkdaysinthecontractperiod,calledthe“three-fourthsguarantee.”� H-2ALCsmustpayallcoveredworkersatleastthehighestofthefollowingwagerates:theadverse

effectwagerate(AEWR),theapplicableprevailingwage,theagreed-uponcollectivebargainingrate,ortheFederalorstateminimumwage.

� H-2ALCsmustobtainasuretybondthatcoversliabilityincurredduringthetermoftheworkcontractperiodlistedontheH-2Aapplicationandmustremainineffectforaperiodofatleast2yearsfromtheexpirationdateofthelaborcertification.

BESTPRACTICE:Considerpayingallworkersdirectlytoensureaccurateandtimelypaymentofwagesandtaxes.

11StatemayhaveaddiOonalinsurancerequirements.Forexample,NorthCarolinarequirementsmaybefoundherehgp://www.ic.nc.gov/wcinsrqmt.htmlandrequirementsforKentuckymaybefoundherehgp://insurance.ky.gov/staOc_info.aspx?staOc_id=27&MenuID=88&Div_id=15.12FLCmustmaintainrecordsfor3years

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IdentifyingHumanTraffickingIndirecthiringofworkersthroughtheuseofintermediariessuchasFLCscanundersomecircumstancesincreaseexposureofagriculturalemployerstotheriskoffarmworkersbeingexploitedintheirimmediateoperationsaswellasintheirextendedsupplychains.Thesecircumstancesmayrangefromworkers’exposuretohazardsarisingfrominadequatetrainingandprovisionstosafeguardtheworkers’healthandsafety,substandardworkingandlivingconditions,towagediscrepanciesandpossiblyforcedlaborandhumantrafficking.Migrantworkerswhopayhighrecruitmentfeestobeplacedinajobareparticularlyvulnerableandcanbeprimetargetsforexploitation.ThefollowingmayhelpagriculturalemployersbeawareoftheserisksandidenOfysituaOonswhereaworkermaybeatrisk:Circumstancesthatmayindicateaworkerisorhasbeenavictimoftrafficking:

• Accompaniedbyacontrollingpersonorboss;notspeakingonownbehalf,threatened,intimidated

• Deceivedabouttermsandconditionsofwork• Lackofcontroloverpersonalschedule,money,I.D.,traveldocuments;restrictionof

movement• Sub-standardworkingandlivingconditions;noaccesstojusticeorgrievance

mechanisms• Debtowedtoemployer/crewleader,withholdingofwages,inabilitytoleavejob• Excessivehoursworkedagainsttheirwill• Bruises,depression,fear,overlysubmissiveorisolated

Questionsthatmayhelpidentifyavictimoftrafficking:

• Areyoubeingpaid?• Canyouleaveyourjobifyouwantto?• Canyoucomeandgoasyouplease?• Haveyouoryourfamilybeenthreatened?• Whatareyourworkingandlivingconditionslike?• Wheredoyousleepandeat?• Doyouhavetoaskpermissiontoeat/sleep/gotothebathroom?• Aretherelocksonthedoors/windowssoyoucannotgetout?• Hasyouridentificationordocumentationbeentakenfromyou?

FormoreinformationpleaseseeInterfaithCenteronCorporateResponsibility’sBestPracticeGuidanceonEthicalRecruitmentofMigrantWorkers:

hgp://www.iccr.org/sites/default/files/iccrsbestpracOceguidanceethicalrecruitment05.03.17-execsummary.pdf

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WheretoGetHelp

IfyoubelieveyouhaveidenOfiedsomeoneinatraffickingsituaOoncontact:911EmergencyForurgentsituaOons,noOfylocallawenforcementimmediatelybycalling911.YoumayalsowanttoalerttheNaOonalHumanTraffickingResourceCenterdescribedbelowsothattheycanensureresponsebylawenforcementofficialsknowledgeableabouthumantrafficking.1-888-3737-888NaOonalHumanTraffickingResourceCenterCalltheNaOonalHumanTraffickingResourceCentertoreportaOp;connectwithanO-traffickingservicesinyourarea;orrequesttrainingandtechnicalassistance,generalinformaOon,orspecificanO-traffickingresources.TheCenterisequippedtohandlecallsfromallregionsoftheUnitedStates.

BESTPRACTICE:Bealerttosignsofhumantraffickingandtakeimmediateaction.

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PuttingThisGuidanceintoActionAskyourselfthefollowingquestionsandseeifyoucomeupwiththerightanswer.

1. Whatshouldyoudoifyoufindoutaperson,whoprovidesfarmlaborcontractorservices,isnotregistered?Ø Donothiretheperson.Itisillegaltohireanunregisteredfarmlaborcontractorandthe

growercouldbeheldliableforanyviolationsthatcontractorcauseswhileemployedbythegrower.

Ø FindaregisteredFLC.TheDepartmentofLabormaintainsalistthatcontainsthenameandphysicaladdressofallcurrentcertificateholders,aswellastheexpirationdateandthecertificatenumbergeneratedbytheDOLWageandHourDivision.Thelistalsoindicatesifthecontractorhasbeenauthorizedtohouseworkers,tousevehiclestotransportworkers,ortodrivesuchvehicles.

FLCListing:https://www.dol.gov/whd/regs/statutes/FLCList.htm

2. Iamanagriculturalgrower/employer.DoIneedafarmlaborcontractorlicense?Ø Itdepends:

• Youarenotrequiredtohavethislicenseifyourecruit,solicit,employ,furnish,transport,orhireworkerstoworkonyourownfarm,foryourownbusinessorsharenon-H2A13workerswithaneighborwhodoesnotpayyouforthis

• Youarerequiredtohavethislicenseifyourecruit,solicit,employ,furnish,transportorhireworkersforanothergrower’sland,forafeeorother“valuableconsidera4on”.

3. Isuspectaworkermaybeavictimofhumantrafficking,whatshouldIdo?Ø Forurgentsituations,notifylocallawenforcementimmediatelybycalling911.Youmay

alsowanttoalerttheNationalHumanTraffickingResourceCenter(1-888-3737-888).

13ItisnotpermigedtoshareH-2Aworkers.AddiOonalinformaOoncanbefoundat:Growers:29CFR655.121(a)(1)through(3):hgps://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/CFR-2012-Otle20-vol3/pdf/CFR-2012-Otle20-vol3-sec655-121.pdfH-2ALCs:29CFR655.132&655.133(b)(1):hgps://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/CFR-2010-Otle20-vol3/pdf/CFR-2010-Otle20-vol3-sec655-132.pdf

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Acknowledgement

ThesematerialshavebeencompiledbytheFarmLaborPracticesGroup(the“FLPG”).TheFLPGisagroupofkeystakeholdersincludingmanufacturers,buyers,growers,governmentandnon-governmentalorganizations,whosepurposeistofacilitateconstructivedialogueaboutfarmlaborpractices.ThegoaloftheFLPGistohelpstakeholdersinproductionoflabor-intensivecropsbetterunderstandandcomplywithapplicablelaborlawsandregulations,andtofosterimprovedfarmlaborpractices,whereneeded,thatshapeaworker’sexperienceonthefarm.CurrentmembersoftheFLPGare:

● AllianceOneInternational,Inc.● AltriaClientServices,Inc.● FarmLaborOrganizingCommittee● InterfaithCenteronCorporateResponsibility● JapanTobacco,Inc.● NorthCarolinaAgribusinessCouncil(advisorymember)● NorthCarolinaDepartmentofLabor–BureauofAgriculturalSafetyandHealth(advisory

member)● NorthCarolinaFarmBureau(advisorymember)● OfficeoftheConsulGeneralofMexicoinRaleigh(advisorymember)● PhilipMorrisInternationalManagementInc.● RJReynoldsTobaccoCompany● TobaccoGrowersAssociationofNorthCarolina● UnitedStatesDepartmentofLabor--WageandHourDivision● UniversalLeafNorthAmericaU.S.,Inc.

Thesematerialsaresharedforinformationalpurposesonly.TheFLPGhasmadenoefforttocollectorsharematerialsotherthanthosethatrelatetoUnitedStatesfederalregulationsandprocedures.TheFLPGmakesnorepresentationastotheiraccuracyorcompletenessandwarnsthatthematerialsmaychangeorbecomeoutofdate.Thesematerialsdonotconstitutelegaladvice.Eachrecipientofthesematerialsshouldconsulthisorherownattorneyoraccountanttofullyunderstandanylegalobligationsimposedbytheregulationsandproceduresdiscussedinthesematerials,aswellasanyotherpotentiallyapplicablefederal,stateorlocallawsandregulations.Sharingofthesematerialsisnotintendedtoalteranyrecipient’sresponsibilityforcomplyingwithallapplicablelawsandregulations.