working with farm labor contractors · 6 see previous secon, “finding a farm labor contractor who...
Post on 04-Aug-2020
1 Views
Preview:
TRANSCRIPT
1
May2018
Workingwith
FarmLaborContractors
LaborManagementGuidebook
2
TableofContents
PurposeofThisGuidebook...........................................................................................................................................3
WhatisaFarmLaborContractor(FLC)orFarmLaborContractorEmployee(FLCE)?..................................................4
FindingaFarmLaborContractorWhoisRegistered.....................................................................................................5
WhattoDoWhenHiringaFarmLaborContractor.......................................................................................................6
Grower’sChecklistforWorkingwithaFLCoranycorrespondingFLCE........................................................................8
IdenOfyingHumanTrafficking.....................................................................................................................................10
PuRngThisGuidanceintoAcOon...............................................................................................................................12
Acknowledgement......................................................................................................................................................13
3
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?
4
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
5
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.
6
WhattoDoWhenHiringaFarmLaborContractor
TheMigrantandSeasonalAgriculturalWorkerProtectionAct(MSPA)requiresallFLC’sorFLCE’stohaveavalidcertificateofregistrationwithproperendorsements.IftheFLCisdriving,transporting,orhousingworkers,thecertificatemusthaveendorsementsforthoseactivities.Growersshouldaskfor:
• Certificateofregistration–requestacopyoftheFLCandanycorrespondingFLCE’sfederalcertificateofregistrationandanystatelicensethatmayberequired.Theregistrationcertificateandendorsementcheck-boxeslooklikethis.
7
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).
8
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
9
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
10
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
11
WheretoGetHelp
IfyoubelieveyouhaveidenOfiedsomeoneinatraffickingsituaOoncontact:911EmergencyForurgentsituaOons,noOfylocallawenforcementimmediatelybycalling911.YoumayalsowanttoalerttheNaOonalHumanTraffickingResourceCenterdescribedbelowsothattheycanensureresponsebylawenforcementofficialsknowledgeableabouthumantrafficking.1-888-3737-888NaOonalHumanTraffickingResourceCenterCalltheNaOonalHumanTraffickingResourceCentertoreportaOp;connectwithanO-traffickingservicesinyourarea;orrequesttrainingandtechnicalassistance,generalinformaOon,orspecificanO-traffickingresources.TheCenterisequippedtohandlecallsfromallregionsoftheUnitedStates.
BESTPRACTICE:Bealerttosignsofhumantraffickingandtakeimmediateaction.
12
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
13
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.
top related