Take Action Now to Protect NY Farmworkers from COVID-19 (from the Worker Justice Center of New York)

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Take Action Now to Protect NY Farmworkers from COVID-19

New York’s farmworkers are geographically isolated and face extreme challenges in securing food and supplies even in ordinary times. Lack of reliable transportation makes it difficult to seek testing and medical treatment. Some employers are failing to take the necessary measures to protect workers from COVID-19, and even less so on farm labor camps where workers often live in over-crowded and unsanitary conditions.

It’s Farmworker Awareness Week! Will you fight for the workers who keep us fed at great risk to themselves? 

Here is what you need to do:

1. Read our letter to Governor Cuomo and the legislature here.

2. Contact Governor Cuomo, your NYS State Senator and Assembly Member today.

3. Tell them to take swift action to ensure the health, safety, and well-being of New York’s farmworkers during the COVID-19 pandemic by: 

  • Developing a coordinated plan to address the unique needs of the agricultural workforce, including accessible know-your-rights materials, free testing in rural communities, and food and clean water. 
  • Requiring agricultural employers to inform workers about their rights to COVID-19-related benefits, like paid sick leave, paid family leave, and temporary disability. 
  • Extending unemployment benefits to H-2A workers affected by COVID-19.
  • Providing direct financial assistance to farmworker families regardless of immigration status.
  • Mandating health and safety protocols specific to COVID-19 for agricultural operations and farm labor camps.

Can you do even more?

We know that we will only get through this by working together. That’s why we’re asking you support these important campaigns led by some of our key partners! 

  • Sign on to the Food Chain Workers Alliance’s petition to Protect Front Line Food Workers during and after the pandemic.
  • Support the NY United Campaign and call on all levels of government to immediately enact common-sense measures to ensure immigrants across the state can remain safe and healthy. Text ‘NYIC’ to 528-86 or go to bit.ly/NYUnited and follow the prompts!
  • Call for the release of people in immigration centers across NY State, including the 500+ people detained in the upstate Buffalo Federal Detention Facility in Batavia. Learn more about how to take action here.

Thank you for standing together with workers!