ITHACA, N.Y. (WHCU) – Farmworkers across New York say no more excuses — asking for workplace protections against COVID-19.

They’re pushing legislation that would enforce health and safety requirements, preventing any future COVID-19 outbreaks. It would include personal protective equipment for every worker and allow workers to socially distance in the workplace and in employer-provided housing.

Additionally, whistle blowers would be protected against retaliation.

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Farmworkers from across New York State say “no more excuses” and call for workplace protections now

Today, farmworkers from across New York State and from multiple sectors held a press conference to urge the State Legislature to protect farmworkers and all essential workers from future waves of COVID-19.

Farmworkers and allies called for enforceable health and safety requirements to ensure that every worker receives personal protective equipment (PPE), that growers and farm employers allow workers to socially distance in both the workplace and in employer-provided housing, and that whistleblowers are protected from retaliation.

In support of today’s day of action, farmworkers have shared the following statements:

Erika, apple packing worker, Oswego County
“We worked through the virus, we wore masks but we still started to get sick. We continued to work with what started as a headache, and other symptoms of COVID-19. Three weeks later, with pain and fever, the employer of the company said that all workers had to take tests for the coronavirus. The results came out positive. Then the boss said we couldn’t work, and he sent three of us home to be quarantined. We were afraid to seek more medical support, we had to use home remedies to combat pain and cure ourselves. We were alone, only people who sent food came to drop off the food and left. It is unfair—we have to have better protection because we could have avoided this situation. We are still human beings and we deserve to be protected!”

Blanca, Spouse of vineyard worker, Long Island
“COVID-19 affected our whole family, my husband almost lost his job because of this disease. Thanks to organizations who supported us, we received help and he’s still working, but even so we’re afraid that we could become infected again. I would tell the Governor to sign a law so that employers have the necessary equipment at work—because my husband, where he works, they don’t have the necessary equipment or anything, my husband brings his own mask, brings his own disinfectant—so that they are protected, so that other families aren’t affected the way we were.”

Magaly, dairy worker, St. Lawrence county
“When COVID-19 started, my employer only gave us masks. At no time did he give us any training or post any information on how to take care of ourselves during COVID-19. We want it to be law to protect all of us essential workers with our families. Our lives are very important as human beings.”

Daniela, dairy worker, Montgomery county
“I live with my family at a dairy farm. As a mother, I am very concerned about the housing situation because it is in poor condition. Tenemos problema con el agua potable el agua sale con muy mal olor casi siempre quedamos sin agua. During the summer months, we suffer a lot because we have electricity problems and there is no air conditioning. My family and I deserve dignified housing. We want legislators to make protections for farmworkers a reality.”

Victor, dairy worker, Wyoming county
“I’ve been affected really strongly by COVID, I just lost my father and I couldn’t be with him. This pandemic will affect some of us forever, but we are here, we continue to work. I work in a dairy farm and we have to be included as essential workers. We shouldn’t be discriminated against.”
Alma, greenhouse worker
“As farmworkers we don’t have support from anyone. In my workplace, the temperature is more than 100 degrees and using masks is very difficult because of the high heat. But I wear my masks for the well-being of all my co-workers, but this situation is really affecting us negatively.”

Christina, vineyard worker, Onondaga county
“In April, my colleagues fell ill with COVID-19 and after this my colleagues and I quarantined. My boss never gave us any training at any time on how to take care of ourselves during the pandemic, or how to prevent COVID-19. He simply posted a sign on the bathroom explaining that if we were sick we should not come to work. What I want is for employers to establish social distancing in workplaces because our health is important. We also need the support of the assemblymen, senators, and the governor to pass legislation to protect all of us farm workers.”

Organized by Alianza Agricola, Food Chain Workers Alliance, Mujeres Divinas, NYCLU, The New York Immigration Coalition, UFCW, Worker Center of Central New York and Worker Justice Center of New York, in partnership with the NY Hero Coalition convened by ALIGN.