Summary: Hired farmworkers--a group of about 1.5 million to 2.5 million laborers--are not adequately protected by federal laws, regulations, and programs, leaving their health and well-being at risk. Hired farmworkers often go into fields sprayed with pesticides without having any knowledge of the chemicals they are exposed to or the possible health consequences. Many farmworkers work in fields without drinking water, hand-washing facilities, or toilets--a situation with potentially serious health hazards. Young children are allowed to operate tractors and do other hazardous farm chores. In addition, they may be more susceptible than adults to the harmful effects of pesticides. Many hired farmworkers, particularly migrant farmworkers, may not get needed health care because they do not receive medical assistance from Medicaid and the Migrant Health Program. Hired farmworkers are also at greater risk than other workers of getting fewer Social Security benefits than they should, which means less financial support when they retire or become disabled.
