Vulnerable and Hard-to-Reach Population FACT SHEET: Migrant and Seasonal Farm Workers
This fact sheet provides information about a population in Florida that is potentially vulnerable and/or hard-to-reach before, during, and after a disaster event. Preparedness requires understanding the demographics and characteristics of these groups in order to best meet the needs of all persons.
Definitions
Seasonal farm worker: An individual who, during the preceding 12 months, worked at least 25 or more days (or parts of days) in farm work o At least half of the earned income from farm work o Not employed in farm work year round by the same employer Migrant farm worker: A seasonal farm worker who has to travel to do farm work o Unable to return to his/her permanent residence on any given day Source: US Department of Labor Employment and Training Administration (DOLETA)
Demographics
Over 3 million migrant and seasonal farm workers in the US About 286,725 migrant farm workers/non-farm workers living in migrant households in Florida Average age: 31 years Foreign born: 81% Men: 80%; women: 20% Farm worker housing is often substandard or non-existent Spanish as primary language: 84% English-fluency: 12% Source: 2000 Migrant and Seasonal Farm Worker Enumeration Profiles Study; 1997-1998 National Agricultural Workers Survey (NAWS)
General Information
Economic Considerations Migrant farm labor supports the 28 billion-dollar fruit and vegetable industry in the US. o 85% of which are hand-harvested and/or cultivated o Without the seasonal influx of migrant farm labor during peak periods, the production of many fruit and vegetable crops would not be possible. The presence of farm workers increases the overall economic output of the regions in which they work. o Eliminating their presence would have a negative impact. According to the most recent findings of the National Agricultural Workers Survey (NAWS), nearly 75% of US farm workers earn less than $10k/year. o 3 out of 5 families have incomes below the poverty level o 77% are paid by the hour • An average hourly rate of $5.94 o Approximately 20% are covered by unemployment insurance.
• 5% receive employer-provided health insurance 17% of farm workers use needs-based services o 13% use Medicaid o 10% use WIC and food stamps Resources for Farm Workers (which might be helpful in preparing for or recovering from a disaster event) National Center for Farm Worker Health, Inc. Farm Workers Association of Florida Florida Legal Services, Inc. (provides legal services to the indigent and poor in FL) Florida Catholic Conference Coalition of Florida Farm Worker Organizations Farm Worker Health Services, Inc. American Red Cross Community health centers and departments of health (within or near migrant communities) Radio, newspapers, and TV (may be challenging because of language and educational barriers) Local churches, businesses, and schools
For More Information
1. 2. 3. Child Labor Coalition. (n.d.). About Us. Retrieved March 16, 2006, from www.stopchildlabor.org/Archives/georget.html. Child Labor Coalition. (n.d.). Welcome to the Home of the Child Labor Coalition. Retrieved March 16, 2006, from www.stopchildlabor.org/. Larson, A. C. (2000). Migrant and Seasonal Farmworker Enumeration Profiles Study: Florida (Final). Retrieved March 16, 2006, from the Florida Department of Education (FLDOE), Florida Information Resource Network (FIRN), Workforce Education Web site: www.firn.edu/doe/workforce/pdf/migrant_health_farmworker_enumeration.pdf. Mehta, K., Gabbard, S. M., Barrat, V., Lewis, M., Carroll, D., & Mines, R. (2000). Findings of the National Agricultural Workers Survey (NAWS) 1997-1998: A Demographic and Employment Profile of United States Farmworkers. US Department of Labor: Office of the Assistant Secretary for Policy – Office of Program Economics. (Research Report No. 8) NCFH: National Center for Farmworker Health, Inc. (2002). National Center for Farmworker Health Home. Retrieved March 15, 2006, from www.ncfh.org. US Department of Labor: Employment & Training Administration. (n.d.). Who Are Migrant and Seasonal Farmworkers (MSFWs)? Retrieved March 2, 2006, from www.doleta.gov/Programs/who_MSFW.cfm.
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The Center for Bioterrorism and All-hazards Preparedness (CBAP) is funded (in part) by a grant from the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
Updated 102006