USA: Migrant labour rights violations in the Vermont diary industry can be tackled through the Milk with Dignity campaign, say advocates
Summary
Date Reported: 11 Sep 2023
Location: United States of America
Other
Not Reported ( Agriculture/food/beverage/tobacco/fishing: General ) - EmployerAffected
Total individuals affected: 1
Migrant & immigrant workers: ( 1 - Mexico , Agriculture/food/beverage/tobacco/fishing: General , Men , Undocumented migrants )Issues
Poverty Wages , Precarious/Unsuitable Living Conditions , Internet Access , Access to Information , Reasonable Working Hours & Leisure Time , Failing to renew visas , Freedom of ExpressionResponse
Response sought: No
Source type: News outlet
“This Farmworker Collective is Organizing For ‘Milk With Dignity’ and More”
…Dairy farms in the region are under immense pressure to cut costs due to industry consolidation and globalization, which allows powerful agribusinesses to place downward pressure on farmers’ incomes. Farmers then hire migrant workers who they can pay far below minimum wage.
…federal law designed to protect seasonal migrant workers…don’t apply to dairy farmworkers in Vermont because of the year-round nature…
… Milk with Dignity…enlists powerful corporations to pay a premium to help raise wages and improve conditions on supplier farms…
Migrant Justice eventually won a contract with Ben & Jerry’s in 2017…
…Migrant Justice alleges that labor and housing rights violations are taking place on supplier farms for Hannaford supermarkets. Hannaford has said it has investigated those allegations and that none have been substantiated…
… Hannaford released a statement saying, “Because of the complexity and scope of the issues facing migrant farmworkers, we do not feel this approach is scalable…
Balcazar and his community envision a future where their Milk with Dignity program expands to cover every farm. Public awareness and support can help them achieve this goal…