U.S. Department of Labor to host virtual two-day educational seminar for agriculture industry employers, workers, other stakeholders

DALLAS – The U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division will host a two-day virtual event from March 3-4, 2021, to provide guidance on federal requirements governing agricultural employment to growers, farmers, shippers, contractors, farm labor contractors, buyers and agricultural workers in the agency’s Southwest region.

Presented in coordination with other agencies and stakeholders, the 2021 Virtual Agricultural Seminar will focus on federal regulations governing agricultural employment and include discussions on the Fair Labor Standards Act, Migrant and Seasonal Agricultural Worker Protection Act, H-2A temporary agricultural program and Office of Foreign Labor Certification. Learn about requirements for wages, housing, transportation, field sanitation, farm labor contractor certification, and more. Discussions will also include the impact of the coronavirus on agricultural employment.

“The Wage and Hour Division encourages workers, employers and others in the agriculture industry to participate,” said Wage and Hour Division Regional Administrator Betty Campbell. “We remain committed to ensuring that agricultural workers are paid the wages they have earned, and that employers clearly understand their responsibilities. These workers have remained on the front lines and deserve every protection the law provides.”

Scheduled to join the seminar are representatives from the following agencies and organizations:

• The Occupational Safety and Health Administration
• The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Farm Service Agency
• The National Council of Agricultural Employers
• U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission
• The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
• U.S. Department of Justice’s Immigrant Employee Rights Section
• The McCain Institute Combatting Human Trafficking Program

See the seminar’s agenda. Share the event flyer in English and Spanish. The event will take place on both days from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. CST. Attendance is free, but the division recommends participants register for the seminar in advance. 

Read this news release En Español