The Farm Worker: His Need For Legislation

Of America's ignored and invisible people, the farm worker is one of the most ignored and least visible. He is hidden by the crops as he works his way down the endless rows. Far from the cities where the laws are made and the issues of the day are debated, his voice is not heard. He is vitally necessary to this well-fed nation, and yet his needs are seldom considered. The legislators have not ignored the industrial worker. They have provided him with laws insuring a minimum wage, workmen's compensation and other such benefits. The farm worker, however, is expressly excluded from coverage under most of the federal and state laws enacted for the benefit of other workers. It is the purpose of this note to discuss the problems of the farm worker, to explore those federal and state laws which should include farm workers but do not, and to examine those very few laws written for the benefit of the farm worker and their effect. This note is in no way comprehensive; its focus is mainly on those problems and laws which affect the working conditions of the farm laborer. This note should make it clear that the farm worker has been uniquely discriminated against by both the federal and state legislatures and that the reasons for such discrimination have no validity today. It is time for the lawmakers to realize that the discrimination exists, that it is unjust, and that it must be brought to an end.