Nov. 25, 2025 9:12 AM PT
To the editor: After studying this text, my first thought was that it boggles the thoughts that California’s $61-billion agricultural trade might fail on so many ranges to guard probably the most weak amongst its workforce, kids (“California’s child farmworkers: Exhausted, underpaid and toiling in toxic fields,” Nov. 20). Then it occurred to me: Perhaps that’s exactly the driving power behind the trade’s wealth and revenue within the first place.
The article factors out the systemic failures of varied oversight businesses which have allowed the trade to show a blind eye to rules like work permits, warmth sickness coaching, access to shade and cool water and publicity to pesticides. These violations impose harmful circumstances, not solely on the adults within the area but additionally their kids. It’s heartbreaking to listen to from these kids who share their desires of a greater life, aspiring to have careers in drugs or the navy, for instance.
I ponder if a coverage to carry state businesses extra accountable for implementing labor violations might have a two-fold profit the place social justice is anxious. Making a concerted effort to recoup uncollected fines would incentivize trade leaders to guard the well being and welfare of their workforce whereas additionally offering sources to fund baby laborers’ possibilities at a greater future.
This might be efficient for a number of causes. First, it will pay for itself. Second, it will create incentive for the agricultural trade to be accountable for the well being and security of its staff. And third, it might go towards making a grant, maybe via the UC system, to permit baby area staff an opportunity to achieve their skilled desires.
Carolyn Franco, Saint Michaels, Md.
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To the editor: We weren’t stunned by the exposé about baby farmworkers. My group has been devoted to eradicating exploitative baby labor since its founding in 1899. We frequently host summer season interns — former baby farmworkers — who describe the excruciating warmth, 10-hour days, pesticide publicity, poverty wages and lack of recent water and bogs.
California can handle this downside by elevating the minimal age for farmwork from 12 to 14. Federal laws to perform this — the Children’s Act for Responsible Employment — was reintroduced Nov. 20 by California Rep. Raul Ruiz.
California isn’t dwelling as much as its popularity for treating farmworkers pretty with correct considerations about their youth and vulnerability. It was wealthy to learn these stunning tales juxtaposed subsequent to a quote from the California Farm Bureau denying the plain: the ubiquity and tragedy of youngsters who decide our vegatables and fruits.
Sally Greenberg, Washington, D.C.
This author is chair of the Baby Labor Coalition and CEO of the Nationwide Shoppers League.
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To the editor: Having labored as a United Farm Employees organizer within the Sixties and at the moment with the Nationwide Day Labor Organizing Community, I clearly see there may be little or no state enforcement of labor legal guidelines in California. Folks need low cost labor and they’ll all the time get it. However my recommendation is: Don’t mourn, don’t whine, set up!
Mark Day, Carlsbad
