The Reality of Migrant Labor in the US

The video below was produced by The Perennial Plate.

It is that time of the year again in Michigan when migrant labor is sought out by many farmers and other sectors of the food industry.

The video below is an excellent example of the working and living conditions of many of those who engage migrant labor. The woman interviewed for this story is with the Coalition of Immokalee Workers (CIW), which has been one of the leading migrant worker unions in the last 10 years.

The CIW has taken on major campaigns to confront fast food giants like Taco Bell, McDonalds, Subway and Trade Joe’s. In all of these campaigns the CIW won increased wages, educated millions on the reality of migrant workers and developed alliances with church groups, other labor unions and groups like Students Against Sweatshops.

The reality depicted in the video is also the reality for thousands of migrant workers in West Michigan. This reality means that just because one buys food that is grown locally, doesn’t mean that the food you eat promotes justice. Investigate on your own and find out where you food comes from, whether or not pesticides & chemical fertilizers were used and if those who labored to plant and harvest the food were treated justly.