They have been considered indispensable, but exclude them from the coronavirus relief package

Although the coronavirus It has put farmworkers to work overtime to meet the high demand for food, and even though the US government has placed them in the category of essential workers for the nation, they work without protections and have been left out of the billionaire financial recovery package.

“Now we are essential, but when the workers look at the paycheck, it is not evident that they are essential. They are denied essential rights and the practices are the same as in the past, ”said Armando Elenes, secretary-treasurer of the Union of Peasants (UFW).

In the midst of the largest health crisis the nation has faced, those who produce food work without protections such as face masks, do not have health insurance, and if they do not work, they do not earn.

"Officially more than 50% of farm workers do not have immigration status, but in reality they are more than 70%. For them there is no help within the financial relief package to deal with the economic impact of the coronavirus. Nor do they have the right to apply for unemployment aid, ”said Elenes.

"This has made workers feel angry, ignored and invisible. They feed this country, but they receive no essential benefits. They pay taxes through their Personal Identification Number (ITIN), "he said.

At the same time, Elenes observed that workers are afraid of contracting the virus.

"They are scared. They wonder what will happen to their children if they get sick. They are not immortal. "

Some farm workers can exercise social distance. (Aurelia Ventura / La Opinion).

Work with fear

Jesús Zúñiga, who works in a grape plantation in Madera, California, collected all kinds of grapes for consumption and table wine, lives with a double fear.

"We are afraid of getting sick because we do not have masks or hand sanitizers, but we are also concerned that they will stop us from working. If we don't work, we don't have payment, and my wife and my two children depend on me, ”said Jesús, who is 45 years old and has worked in the fields in California for more than 20 years.

For Jesus there has been no quarantine. "We are exposing ourselves, but without us there are no fruits or vegetables on the market"

Rather, they expect the year to be one of abundant work. "Looks very good. The rains that fell a few weeks ago have been very good for the field. We hope there will be a lot of work for us, ”he said.

Of course, he commented that they are trying to increase the rules of hygiene, and wash with soap and water whenever they can. In addition, he confided that his life in these times of coronavirus can be summed up as "going from home to work."

The only help that each farm worker has been given so far is a card explaining that the Department of Homeland Security considers their work to be part of the critical national infrastructure and that they need to go to work, despite the order to stay home.

“We can show it to the police in case they arrest us. That card makes me feel calmer, more secure and supported, "said Jesus.

The traditional use of scarves to cover their faces can help farmworkers protect themselves from the coronavirus. (Aurelia Ventura)

Worry and despair

Adelaida Mendoza was sent to rest by the company she works for in the field. "It is sad because most of my colleagues have no papers or how to survive during the quarantine", said.

She does have immigration status and can apply for unemployment assistance. “I feel protected from the coronavirus by staying home, but my son-in-law continues to work in the fields every day, and he could bring the virus to me, my husband who is already retired, my daughter and the two grandchildren who live together. in a house, "he says.

Being 58 years old, Adelaide considered that she feels more vulnerable to contagion. "Older people have more risks. Although the son of a niece, who is four years old, is infected with the coronavirus, "he revealed.

Luis Meza, is a farm worker in the Fresno area, whose work was drastically reduced because the company he works for could no longer continue exporting mandarin because international orders fell due to restrictions imposed by the coronavirus .

“I have been looking for work elsewhere, but the crews are already complete. I am very concerned because I support my parents and siblings who live in Mexico, ’said Luis, 32, with eight years of working as a peasant.

Although he acknowledged that he is afraid of the virus, he is convinced that if he gets it, he will not die. "I'm taking precautions why who wants to be lying in bed sick with this epidemic"He expressed.

Unfortunately, he estimated that the number of infected in the field will increase because there are not many precautionary measures. "You can't even find hand sanitizer," he said.

Farmer Joe del Bosque concerned about the impact of the coronavirus on workers. (Aurelia Ventura / La Opinion).

Nervous farmers

Joe Del Bosque, a farmer in the Mendota and Firebaugh communities in California's Central Valley, admitted that they work nervously because they don't know what's going to happen to the coronavirus.

"We are harvesting asparagus, and planting melon, watermelon and corn for corn," he said.

But while they comply with food production, he assured that they take measures so that the workers are well.

“We have given them a little training according to what the government has told us, such as not getting too close, washing their hands and not coming sick. Here we have water, soap and paper towels to dry, but we don't know what to do when they get home at night, ”he said.

And he clarified that the farmers have not been provided with masks because the government has recommended leaving them for the sick, and because even if they wanted to, they cannot find them in the market.

Del Bosque said that in the midst of the crisis, the workers are very encouraged. "They want to work to help their families here or in Mexico ”.

The
Farmworkers should wash their hands thoroughly to prevent coronavirus. (EFE / photos)

Safety measures

Elenes from the Union of Peasants recognized that in general with the coronavirus, the demand for work has skyrocketed, and many workers work overtime "It has only gone down in the fields whose production is for restaurants and events but not for markets"He specified.

Something that helps farmworkers is that they usually work with half a face covered with a scarf to protect themselves from the sun and dust.

"It is very difficult for them to exercise social distance to prevent contagion, because when they arrive at the field every morning, they gather them together to give them instructions. This is known as the little school ”, explained Elenes.

However, there are crops such as vineyards or where there are furrows that allow social distance to be exercised, but in the packing and cutting machines it is impossible.

The recommendations given to farm workers by the UFW to prevent contagion are:

  • Wash your hands frequently with soap and water (front and back for 20 seconds or more).
  • Encourage workers to stay home if they are sick.
  • Do not touch eyes, nose or mouth with hands that have not been washed.
  • Encourage the hygiene label to cover their mouths when they cough or cover with their elbows.
  • Frequently clean and disinfect areas that are touched daily.
  • Have an emergency plan ready.

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