Globalisation and Farmworker Rights

David Bell
3 days ago
17 min read

Farmworkers are the backbone of the global food system but often face low wages, exploitation, and unsafe conditions due to globalisation. The shift from local farming to international supply chains has created a system where corporations prioritise cost-cutting over worker welfare. Migrant workers, who play a critical role, are often undocumented or tied to restrictive visas, leaving them vulnerable to abuse.

Key Issues:

Labour Exploitation: Many workers face low pay, poor housing, and unsafe conditions.
Visa Dependency: H-2A visa holders are tied to specific employers, limiting their ability to report abuses.
Undocumented Workers: Fear of deportation prevents many from seeking justice.
Labour Shortages: Crops are left to rot due to insufficient workers, driving food imports and increasing prices.

Solutions:

Strengthen labour laws and enforcement.
Provide legal pathways for undocumented workers.
Decouple visa status from employer dependency.
Promote corporate accountability through supply chain transparency.
Support consumer-driven initiatives like certified fair labour products.

Change is possible through stronger policies, corporate responsibility, and consumer awareness. Protecting farmworkers ensures a stable food supply while addressing systemic injustices.

Problems Farmworkers Face in Global Food Systems

The globalisation of agriculture has created a system where farmworkers face significant challenges, even as consumers in the UK and beyond enjoy access to affordable, diverse food. These issues stem from a lack of consistent protections, widespread exploitation, and worsening economic conditions. Below, we explore these challenges in greater detail.

Inconsistent Legal Protections

Farmworkers often navigate a patchwork of legal systems that leave them vulnerable. Many lack stable legal status - at least half are undocumented, while 10% rely on temporary H-2A visas, which tether them to a single employer[3]. This visa system highlights how legal frameworks can create dependency, as workers risk deportation if they attempt to change jobs. Efforts to establish standardised protections, such as HR 1603, have stalled in the US Senate[1]. This fragmented approach allows employers to exploit regulatory gaps, particularly in jurisdictions with weaker labour laws. Workers crossing borders or moving between states often find themselves facing varying standards, further complicating their ability to seek justice.

Exploitation of Migrant and Undocumented Workers

Migrant labour is the backbone of global agriculture, yet these workers are frequently exploited. Many remain invisible within the system, making them particularly vulnerable[6]. The H-2A visa programme, which has expanded to address labour shortages, has been plagued by abuse. Investigations reveal that workers on these visas are often underpaid, mistreated, and even trafficked[4]. According to the Economic Policy Institute, violations of H-2A regulations account for a significant share of employer penalties and unpaid wages[4].

Undocumented workers face additional challenges, as fear of deportation discourages them from reporting violations[1]. During the COVID-19 pandemic, many farmworkers lacked access to basic protective equipment, despite their essential role in maintaining food supplies[1]. Even as travel restrictions tightened, the US government allowed the entry of foreign agricultural workers[2]. Reports from a Michigan farmworker housing camp in 2018 described deplorable living conditions, underscoring the isolation and vulnerability of workers in remote areas with limited access to safe, affordable housing[2].

Low Pay and Unsafe Working Conditions

Global competition in agriculture has driven down wages while worsening working conditions. For instance, the Trump administration’s changes to the H-2A wage rule allowed employers to pay seasonal workers significantly less by basing wages on the 17th percentile of state data rather than ensuring fair pay[4]. This policy could reduce annual earnings for over 350,000 H-2A workers by up to £2 billion, amounting to wage cuts of 26–32%[4]. Additionally, the Adverse Effect Wage Rate lets employers deduct up to 30% of hourly pay for housing, even when accommodations are substandard[4].

Farmworkers employed by third-party contractors tend to earn even less than those hired directly by farms[4]. Wage reductions affect one-third of US farmworkers, including citizens, and exacerbate the economic pressures they face[4].

Labour shortages have led to crops rotting in fields, yet employers often opt to import food from lower-wage regions instead of raising wages to attract workers[1]. This approach not only undermines farmworkers but also increases the food supply chain’s vulnerability to global political and economic disruptions. Meanwhile, hazardous conditions like prolonged exposure to extreme heat remain common. Weak enforcement of labour laws under the H-2A programme means violations often go unpunished, perpetuating a cycle of exploitation[4].

Methods to Support Farmworkers in Global Systems

Effective strategies that combine local organising, market accountability, and persistent advocacy are key to securing rights for farmworkers within globalised food systems. Below are some practical approaches that prioritise farmworkers in reform efforts, laying the groundwork for the policy changes discussed later.

Using State and Local Laws

Given the patchwork of legal protections for farmworkers, state and local organising has become a critical tool for advancing their rights, especially when national legislation stalls. State-level campaigns bring together local groups to push for improved working conditions and legislative reforms[2].

However, progress is not without its hurdles. For example, despite bipartisan backing for agricultural labour reform, HR 1603 passed the House of Representatives but failed in the Senate. Similar efforts have been introduced repeatedly, most recently in 2023[1]. A major sticking point is opposition from farm owners to provisions allowing workers to sue employers for rights violations[1]. On top of this, undocumented workers often avoid reporting abuse due to fear of deportation, while H-2A workers risk losing their jobs if they speak out[1]. To address these issues, advocates have suggested increasing legal immigration pathways and granting legal status to undocumented agricultural workers already in the country[1].

Creating International Worker Coalitions

To combat exploitation across borders, cross-border organising taps into global supply chains. Farmworkers are a crucial yet frequently overlooked and exploited part of the global agricultural economy. Worker organisations aim to engage multinational buyers to establish standards that affect farms in multiple countries.

Bilingual support groups play a vital role in this effort, helping workers navigate language barriers and allay fears of deportation[1]. These groups provide workers with the tools to understand their rights and offer secure ways to report violations without risking their livelihoods or legal status.

These coalitions also pave the way for market-driven initiatives that can further empower farmworkers and improve their working conditions.

Examples of Successful Worker Campaigns

One standout example of a market-based approach to safeguarding farmworkers is the Coalition of Immokalee Workers' Fair Food Program (FFP) in the United States[3]. Launched in 2011, the programme brings together major buyers - such as Taco Bell and Aramark - under binding agreements to purchase produce only from farms that comply with a strict code of conduct. This code covers wages, safety, and overall working conditions[3]. The programme uses independent audits, worker education, and reporting hotlines to ensure compliance and deliver tangible results. Since its inception, workers at participating farms have received bonuses exceeding £33 million, demonstrating that even a modest premium can significantly improve compensation[3].

When workers are treated with dignity and respect, they are more likely to remain in their roles, reducing the high turnover that often plagues the agricultural sector. By prioritising workers in decision-making and establishing transparent accountability mechanisms, campaigns like the FFP create safe channels for reporting issues and seeking remedies. Groups such as the Coalition of Immokalee Workers, United Farm Workers, and the Farm Labor Organizing Committee illustrate that sustained worker organising, paired with market-based accountability, can secure meaningful protections and rights - even in the absence of sweeping legislative reform[2][3].

These strategies highlight the importance of coordinated efforts at local, international, and market levels to bring about meaningful reform in global food systems.

Policy Changes for Fairer Global Food Systems

While grassroots efforts and market-based solutions have achieved progress for farmworkers, long-term improvements demand policy reform. The current patchwork of protections leaves many workers vulnerable, especially those whose immigration status ties them to exploitative employers. Governments must enact systemic reforms to protect the rights of all agricultural workers, regardless of their origin or how they entered the country.

Building on the successes of grassroots and market-driven initiatives, comprehensive policy changes are necessary to ensure enduring progress.

Strengthening Labour Law Enforcement

Agricultural labour standards are often poorly enforced due to significant underfunding and a lack of political will. This enforcement gap leaves workers exposed to exploitation, particularly those without secure legal status.

To address this, fully funded, independent agencies should be established to conduct regular, unannounced inspections of farms and labour contractors. These agencies must also have the authority to impose fines that outweigh the financial benefits of violations, making compliance a financially sound choice. At present, penalties are insufficient - research shows that most violations occur under the H-2A programme, yet enforcement remains weak, allowing abuses to persist [4].

The H-2A programme highlights the dangers of inadequate oversight. Workers tied to their employers through visa arrangements face significant risks; they can be fired or blacklisted without recourse if they report abuses [3][4]. Enforcement agencies need the power to revoke operating licences or visa sponsorships for serious violations, creating real consequences for exploitative practices.

Additionally, governments should establish bilingual support groups to assist farmworkers, particularly those navigating language barriers or fearing deportation. During the pandemic, such groups proved crucial when workers lacked access to personal protective equipment [1]. These initiatives can provide safe channels for reporting violations, ensuring workers’ voices are heard without jeopardising their livelihoods or legal status.

Recognising these enforcement shortcomings, legislative reforms must aim to extend protections universally.

Extending Labour Protections to All Workers

Legislative changes should ensure collective bargaining rights and workplace protections for all farmworkers, regardless of immigration status. For example, the Farm Workforce Modernisation Bill (HR 1603), introduced in 2021, proposed a pathway for certified agricultural workers and their families to obtain legal status. It also sought to address flaws in the H-2A visa, such as its seasonal limitation, which doesn't suit year-round agricultural sectors like dairy farming [1]. Although the bill passed the House of Representatives, it stalled in the Senate due to opposition from farm owners who resisted provisions allowing workers to sue employers for rights violations [1].

A pathway to legal status for undocumented agricultural workers is critical. Without it, workers are less likely to report abuse for fear of deportation [1]. The current system incentivises employers to hire undocumented workers, as they are less likely to speak out against mistreatment.

Policy reforms should also decouple visa status from employer dependency. The H-2A programme creates a power imbalance, where workers’ legal status, housing, and employment are all controlled by one employer [3]. Allowing workers to change employers without risking their legal status would empower them to report violations and seek better working conditions.

Governments should introduce certification programmes to verify that employers are providing fair wages and safe working conditions. These certifications should be publicly accessible, enabling consumers and stakeholders to make informed choices [1]. Additionally, minimum wage standards must reflect the hazardous nature of agricultural work, including exposure to extreme heat [5].

Italy’s 2020 agricultural worker regularisation programme offers a cautionary tale. While it aimed to address the status of irregular migrant workers, it faced significant issues: 44% of surveyed workers reported being forced to pay the €500 registration fee that employers were supposed to cover, and many couldn’t afford the cost despite wanting to regularise their status [7]. This underscores the need for enforcement mechanisms to prevent employers from shifting costs onto workers.

Holding Supply Chains Accountable

The Coalition of Immokalee Workers’ Fair Food Programme provides a model for accountability that governments could adopt. This initiative brings together major buyers, like Taco Bell and Aramark, under agreements to source produce only from farms adhering to a code of conduct covering wages, safety, and other standards [3]. The programme’s measurable bonus payouts demonstrate its success [3].

Governments should mandate supply chain transparency, requiring corporations to conduct due diligence on their suppliers’ labour practices and publicly report findings. Policies must also establish liability frameworks, holding corporations accountable for labour violations across their supply chains, not just at facilities they directly manage. This approach shifts responsibility to those with the most resources and power to enforce compliance.

Mandatory transparency and government procurement policies can drive industry-wide adherence to fair labour standards. Additionally, class action mechanisms should be introduced, allowing workers to collectively sue employers and corporations for wage theft and other abuses. These mechanisms should include provisions for recovering legal fees and damages.

In a globalised food system, international coordination is vital. Food production often relies on migrant labour crossing borders [2], yet protections remain fragmented, creating loopholes for exploitation. Bilateral labour agreements could ensure protections for citizens working abroad and provide mechanisms for accessing justice across borders.

Trade agreements should also tie compliance with farmworker protections to market access. For instance, the United States has increasingly relied on food imports from Asia to address domestic labour shortages, exposing its food supply to geopolitical uncertainties [1]. International agreements must require that imported food meets the same labour standards as domestically produced goods, preventing a race to the bottom where production shifts to countries with weaker protections.

Governments must prioritise inclusive policies that improve working conditions, health, and safety for all migrant agricultural workers [7]. This includes ensuring access to sick leave, unemployment benefits, and healthcare, regardless of immigration status. While the seasonal and unpredictable nature of agricultural work presents challenges, these cannot justify substandard treatment of workers who are essential to the global food system.

Consumer and Corporate Responsibility

Efforts to improve farmworker conditions now go beyond policy reform, with consumer choices and corporate practices playing a critical role. These actions complement earlier reforms by keeping farmworker welfare at the forefront of accountability in the global food system. Since this system is driven by market demand, ethical consumer decisions and responsible corporate behaviour can lead to noticeable improvements in working conditions, often ahead of legislative changes.

Consumer Awareness and Ethical Buying

When consumers opt for certified products, they send a clear message to companies, urging them to prioritise fair wages and safe working conditions. This market-driven pressure motivates businesses to adopt better practices to protect their reputation and maintain customer loyalty.

A great example of this is the Coalition of Immokalee Workers' Fair Food Programme. Companies like Taco Bell and Aramark joined the initiative after facing pressure from consumers and activists. They recognised that aligning with fair labour practices not only boosts their reputation but also strengthens customer trust [3]. Since its inception in 2011, the programme has generated over £35 million in bonuses for workers on participating farms. These bonuses come from a small premium paid by buyers, proving that fair labour practices can be supported with minimal additional cost [3].

However, distinguishing genuine efforts from superficial ones can be tricky for consumers. Legitimate programmes are marked by independent third-party audits, transparent reporting, and mechanisms for addressing worker complaints. For instance, the Fair Food Programme is monitored by the Fair Food Standards Council, which conducts audits, educates workers, and operates a hotline for reporting violations [3]. Consumers are advised to seek certifications from established labour rights organisations rather than those created by corporations lacking external oversight. During crises like the COVID-19 pandemic, bilingual support groups have also played a vital role in advocating for farmworkers, particularly in securing personal protective equipment [1].

Worker bonuses and wage premiums are tangible signs that corporations are making real investments in better labour conditions, not just offering empty promises [3]. When companies require suppliers to meet binding standards, it shows a deeper commitment to ethical practices, even under economic stress. These practices push corporations to increase transparency and accountability throughout their supply chains.

Corporate Transparency and Accountability

Transparency initiatives and audits are essential tools for monitoring and improving labour practices within agricultural supply chains. By auditing farms, corporations can identify and address issues such as unsafe conditions, wage theft, and violations of labour standards.

The Fair Food Programme serves as a strong example of corporate accountability in action. Participating companies agree to purchase produce only from farms that comply with strict codes of conduct covering wages, safety, and working conditions [3]. This approach incentivises farmers to improve their practices, as failing to comply could mean losing access to major buyers. The programme has also shown that treating workers with dignity reduces turnover and improves workforce stability [3].

Certifications that verify fair wages and safe working conditions offer consumers assurance about labour standards [1]. These certifications should be easily accessible, enabling informed purchasing decisions.

Corporate transparency should also extend to mapping global supply chains to identify labour risks and ensure accountability across borders. This is especially important given that around 169 million of the world’s 281 million international migrants work within agricultural supply chains [8]. Without transparency, there’s a risk that companies may shift operations to areas with weaker protections, leading to a "race to the bottom" in labour standards.

Why Voluntary Measures Are Not Enough

While voluntary corporate initiatives and market-driven approaches have led to some progress, they cannot replace the need for robust regulatory frameworks and government enforcement. The agricultural sector has historically resisted labour protections, with many farm owners opposing measures that would allow workers to sue employers for rights violations [1].

Structural barriers prevent voluntary measures from fully addressing the challenges faced by farmworkers. For example, undocumented workers often avoid reporting abuse due to fears of deportation, and H-2A visa holders risk job termination if they speak out [1]. Without legal protections like overtime pay, minimum wage enforcement, workplace safety measures, and union rights, farmworkers remain vulnerable [8].

The lack of legislative updates shifts the responsibility for managing labour issues onto farmers and food businesses instead of government regulators [8]. This creates a dilemma where ethical companies face higher costs for fair practices, while others gain a competitive edge by cutting corners.

Recent policy debates highlight the limitations of voluntary measures. The Farm Workforce Modernisation Act, which aimed to improve conditions, failed to pass the Senate despite bipartisan support. Resistance from farm owners, particularly against provisions allowing workers to sue employers, played a significant role in its downfall [1][9]. This demonstrates how corporate opposition can block meaningful reform, even when political momentum exists.

Additionally, enforcement-only immigration policies could lead to food price increases of 1.5–9.1 per cent [8]. This underscores how labour exploitation artificially suppresses costs, shifting the human toll onto vulnerable workers. Mandatory regulations are crucial to establish universal baseline protections, ensuring that companies committed to fair practices are not penalised for doing the right thing.

The Cultivarian Society and Ethical Food Systems

While regulatory reforms and corporate accountability measures tackle the immediate exploitation of farmworkers, The Cultivarian Society takes a broader approach, advocating for a shift in how meat is produced. By promoting cultivated meat - real meat grown from animal cells without the need for slaughter - this movement aims to address the ethical, environmental, and societal issues tied to industrial farming. Such a shift naturally redefines labour demands and protections within the food production system.

The link between cultivated meat and farmworker rights lies in the production model itself. Traditional industrial agriculture relies heavily on labour-intensive practices that often lead to exploitation. Seasonal crop and livestock farming concentrates production in regions with weak worker protections, while wealthier nations reap the benefits. In contrast, cultivated meat production moves operations into controlled biotechnological facilities, reducing dependence on seasonal migrant labour - a workforce particularly vulnerable to abuse.

Cultivated meat uses 99% less land compared to conventional meat production[10], significantly lowering the need for manual fieldwork. This technological advancement could decrease reliance on migrant and undocumented workers, who often endure low wages, unsafe working conditions, and inadequate legal protections in the global food system. The controlled environments of these facilities also make it easier to enforce workplace safety standards and labour protections, something that remains challenging across scattered farms and processing plants.

The Cultivarian Society goes beyond technological solutions, advocating for a broader ethical overhaul of food systems. Their mission aligns with calls for fairer labour practices while envisioning a more sustainable future. Through public awareness campaigns, policy advocacy, and educational initiatives, the organisation works to position cultivated meat as a more ethical option. Their coverage of topics like "How Automation Affects Migrant Farm Workers" and "Sediment Pollution: Hidden Cost of Industrial Farming" highlights their commitment to addressing the labour and environmental issues tied to industrial agriculture.

At its core, the organisation seeks to build a new dietary movement founded on compassion, science, and informed choice. With 259 cultivated meat companies now operating worldwide[10], the industry is emerging as a viable alternative capable of reshaping labour dynamics in food production. Cultivated meat’s 92% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions compared to traditional meat[10] addresses environmental concerns, while its production model offers a path away from the exploitative labour practices that have long plagued conventional farming.

However, this transition must be carefully managed. Displaced agricultural workers should not be replaced by other vulnerable labour forces in these new facilities. The Cultivarian Society stresses the importance of establishing strong labour protections from the outset, preventing the exploitation patterns seen in traditional agriculture. By collaborating with researchers and startups, there is an opportunity to integrate fair labour practices into these emerging systems before harmful precedents take hold.

This approach complements, rather than replaces, existing efforts such as policy reforms, worker organising, and corporate accountability measures. While these remain essential for protecting current farmworkers, The Cultivarian Society’s dual strategy - strengthening protections for today’s workers while developing alternative production systems - opens up multiple pathways to tackle farmworker exploitation.

Through education and global outreach, The Cultivarian Society contributes to the broader conversation about ethical food systems. Their advocacy acknowledges that transforming food production - without compromising on ethics, taste, or sustainability[10] - requires addressing not just animal welfare and environmental concerns but also the human cost embedded in current agricultural practices. As cultivated meat technology advances and scales, its potential to reduce farmworker exploitation will depend on whether the industry embraces the ethical framework championed by organisations like The Cultivarian Society. By aligning innovation with ethical labour standards, this vision supports the article’s broader goal of securing farmworker rights in a globalised food system.

Conclusion

Farmworkers in globalised food systems face a web of challenges that require collective action to resolve. Many workers lack the ability to report abuses [3], creating a power imbalance that fuels exploitation through low wages, unsafe working conditions, and inadequate legal protections. This leaves farmworkers without a voice to advocate for their rights [1].

Despite these barriers, this article has shown that meaningful change is possible when multiple stakeholders commit to accountability. Take the Coalition of Immokalee Workers' Fair Food Programme as an example. Since 2011, this initiative has secured better standards by involving major buyers, resulting in substantial bonus payouts for workers [3]. This demonstrates that treating workers with dignity and respect not only improves retention but also helps address labour shortages and ensures protection for vulnerable groups [3].

However, voluntary programmes alone can't resolve these deep-rooted issues. Policymakers need to modernise immigration systems to address the agricultural labour demand, create pathways to legal status for long-term undocumented workers, and extend labour protections to all farmworkers. This includes guaranteeing overtime pay, minimum wage standards, and essential workplace safety measures [1][8]. Enforcing these protections and providing accessible support systems are equally critical [1].

Corporations, too, have a responsibility. They must prioritise transparency and accountability throughout their supply chains by adopting certification systems that verify fair wages and safe working conditions [1]. Meanwhile, consumers hold significant power by demanding ethically sourced products. Supporting goods that meet fair labour standards creates market pressure, making it economically viable for companies to enhance worker protections [3].

In addition to policy and corporate reforms, innovative farming methods could play a role in addressing exploitation. Systems like cultivated meat, developed under fair labour conditions, offer a potential alternative that ensures food security without perpetuating the exploitative practices of traditional agriculture. However, these innovations must be introduced alongside strong labour protections to prevent repeating past mistakes.

Ultimately, recognising farmworkers as indispensable to global food systems is key to driving change. A fair food system values farmworkers by ensuring they receive dignity, legal protections, and fair pay. The current labour shortages, which have already resulted in crops left to rot in fields, highlight the direct link between worker rights, food security, and consumer costs [1]. Protecting farmworker rights is not just an ethical imperative but a practical necessity for building resilient food systems. Achieving this transformation requires collaboration among policymakers, corporations, consumers, and farmworkers themselves, turning globalisation into a force for fairness rather than exploitation.

FAQs

How does globalisation affect farmworkers' rights, and what can be done to promote fair labour practices?

Globalisation has dramatically transformed the agricultural landscape,, but it has often come in exchange for the well-being of farmworkers. In a cost-driven global supply chain, these workers frequently endure meagre wages, hazardous working conditions, and minimal legal safeguards. These problems justifications become especially concerning are even starker in areas where labour laws are either inadequately enforced or seriously lacking inly farmworkers, legal recourse, minimum wage, The Cultivarian Society.

How can consumers help improve working conditions for farmworkers in global supply chains?

Consumers hold significant power when it comes to shaping the working conditions of farmworkers. By choosing to support brands and companies that emphasise fair labour practices and maintain transparency in their supply chains, you can push for improved treatment of workers. Certifications or initiatives that guarantee ethical sourcing and fair wages are a good place to start when making purchasing decisions.

Beyond shopping habits, advocating for policy reforms and shedding light on the struggles farmworkers face can amplify the call for change. Opting for ethically produced goods and sparking conversations about fair and sustainable food systems can contribute to meaningful progress, benefiting farmworkers on a global scale.

How could cultivated meat influence farmworker rights and labour practices in a globalised food system?

The emergence of cultivated meat could bring a major shift in the agricultural workforce. With less dependence on traditional animal farming, it has the potential to ease some of the burdens farmworkers the workers face - such as intense physical demands, hazardous working environments, and the risk of exploitation. However, this transition also sparks concerns about job losses and the pressing need for retraining workers for new roles.

To make this shift fair, prioritising education and training is key. Programmes aimed at teaching farmworkers skills suited to the cultivated meat industry can bridge this gap. Partnerships between governments, advocacy groups, and organisations like The Cultivarian Society can play a critical role in promoting fair labour practices. At the same time, they can contribute to building a food system that is both ethical and sustainable. By taking this approach, we can ensure that the advantages of global change and innovation benefit everyone, creating a future based on fairness and new opportunities.