Petition Information | |
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Petition Title | Protecting Farmworkers During COVID-19 Pandemic |
Date Filed | 6/5/2020 [Transmittal Sheet] |
Petitioner | Legal Aid Justice Center |
Petitioner's Request |
Dear Commissioner Oliver: We write to follow up on our petitions of March 30 and May 6 requesting rulemaking and immediate protection for the Commonwealth’s farmworker and migrant worker community during this dire health crisis. We just entered June. We must act now, as many migrant workers are already here, imminently arriving, or slated to arrive in the thousands in the coming months. The Present and Looming Crisis for Farmworkers in the Commonwealth As we have noted, migrant workers are plainly essential workers, feeding both Virginians and indeed the world, but they are also highly vulnerable to COVID-19, particularly in light of their lack of access to medical care, health insurance, and personal transportation; their incredibly close-quartered living and working conditions (often working shoulder to shoulder); and their often limited English proficiency (leaving them less likely to have access to testing or treatment). Many workers are also older, adding additional risk factors. Additionally, hundreds of these workers will be located on the Eastern Shore, which has been a hotspot both for Virginia and indeed nationwide. Without further protections, they are left abandoned while they work to feed us. The Commonwealth has not Enacted Enforceable COVID Protections for Farmworkers Despite numerous petitions from our office for enforceable regulations and protections for farmworkers, we have not seen anything issued beyond recommendations, many of which are untenable or shift the burden to the workers; none of them can be enforced against an employer who chooses not to follow them. Recommendations plainly do not create enforceable protections for workers. That is: None of VDH’s suggestions are mandatory. Other States are Proactively Taking Enforceable Measures to Protect Vulnerable Workers By way of contrast, other state governments, in recognition of the need to treat essential workers as essential, have been implementing measures to protect farmworkers. As we previously noted, in late April and early May in Oregon, temporary regulations were enacted by the Oregon Occupational Safety and Health Administration to require farms to maintain social distancing during work, break and meal periods, and in employer-provided housing and transportation. Oregon also released $12 million in emergency housing funds, for which a large portion was earmarked for providing safe housing for migrant and seasonable farmworkers. In Wisconsin, in late April, the Wisconsin Department of Health Services issued an emergency order that mandated agricultural employers to take certain steps to prevent the spread of COVID-19. The Commonwealth Can and Should Do More to Protect Farmworkers Although some states have indeed begun to take measures to protect their most vulnerable workers, many been derelict in their duties to these workers. Virginia still has the opportunity to be a leader amongst states to enact enforceable protections. Virginia law grants the State Board of Health additional powers that may be used to protect public health during public health emergencies. Governor Northam declared COVID-19 a communicable disease of public health threat in his state-of-emergency order in March 2020, which has been extended. VDH, moreover, has broad authority to issue orders and special regulations needed to protect public health in emergencies. See Va. Code § 32.1-13. It has the authority to issue mandatory requirements for employers to protect farmworkers’ health, not just recommendations. VDH additionally has broad oversight over migrant labor camps. See Va. Code §§ 32.1-203 - 32.1-211. Thus, pursuant to Va. Code § 32.1-13, we again request VDH to promulgate regulations for the following:
Conclusion Legal Aid Justice Center reiterates its petition for prompt rulemaking and emergency, enforceable measures to ensure the protection of all farmworkers, their families and communities, and the residents of the Commonwealth of Virginia, and asks the Commonwealth to support our most vulnerable workers in these harrowing times.
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Agency's Plan |
In accordance with Virginia law, the petition has been filed with the Registrar of Regulations and will be published on July 6, 2020 and posted to the Virginia Regulatory Town Hall at www.townhall.virginia.gov. Comment on the petition will be accepted until July 27, 2020. Following receipt of all comment on the petition, and within 90 days of July 27, 2020, the matter will be considered by the State Health Commissioner, acting on behalf of the Board, in order to decide whether to grant or deny the petition or by the State Board of Health. |
Comment Period | Ended 7/26/2020 0 comments |
Agency Decision | Pending |
Contact Information | |
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Name / Title: | Kristin Marie Clay / Senior Policy Analyst |
Address: |
Virginia Department of Health 109 Governor Street, 5th Floor Richmond, 23219 |
Email Address: | kristin.clay@vdh.virginia.gov |
Telephone: | (804)864-7474 FAX: ()- TDD: ()- |