Industrial Farming and Worker Inequality: Solutions
- David Bell
- Jan 14
- 12 min read
The Problem
Industrial farming heavily relies on seasonal migrant workers, both in the UK and the U.S., creating significant wage and legal inequalities. Migrant workers often face:
High visa and travel costs that deepen financial struggles.
Weak enforcement of labour rights, leaving them vulnerable to exploitation.
Poor housing, wage theft, and unsafe working conditions.
In the UK, 60% of seasonal workers are on six-month visas, with only 5% being British. In the U.S., 30% of farmworkers live below the poverty line, and 37% depend on government health insurance.
The Solution
Fixing these issues requires a mix of market-driven initiatives, policy reforms, and technological advancements:
Fair Food Programmes: Retailers like Walmart commit to sourcing from farms that follow strict worker protection codes, improving wages and conditions.
Worker-Driven Social Responsibility (WSR): Empowers workers to monitor workplace rights daily, eliminating contractor-driven abuses.
Legislative Reforms: Extending minimum wage laws and pathways to legal status for undocumented workers.
Automation and cultivated meat: Reducing reliance on exploitative manual labour by investing in advanced farming methods.
Actionable Steps
Enforce stricter labour regulations and fund oversight bodies like the UK’s GLAA.
Implement the Employer Pays Principle to reduce worker debt.
Promote direct hiring models to eliminate abusive labour contractors.
Invest in modern farming technologies to create better-paying domestic jobs.
These changes can address historic inequalities while modernising food production systems.
Systemic Barriers to Fair Pay
Labour Contractors and Wage Suppression
The UK's Seasonal Worker Scheme is structured in a way that binds workers to their sponsoring employer, creating an environment where raising concerns about unfair treatment feels risky and often futile [2][4].
On top of this, many workers are trapped in cycles of debt. Costs linked to visas, travel, and even unofficial fees pile up, leaving workers with little choice but to endure low wages and poor working conditions. Efforts to transfer to a different employer are frequently denied, further entrenching their exploitation [2][3].
Weak Enforcement and Regulatory Gaps
The enforcement system meant to protect seasonal workers in the UK has been described by the Migration Advisory Committee as "fragmented" and insufficient to uphold workers' rights [2]. Agencies like the GLAA are underfunded, and the lack of cohesive pay data makes monitoring and addressing issues nearly impossible [2][4]. As the Work Rights Centre aptly summarises:
When your employer is your visa sponsor, speaking up is hard, labour enforcement is slow, and migrant workers are often left with no means for redress [4].
Challenges Facing Migrant Workers
These enforcement shortcomings only deepen the challenges faced by migrant workers. Barriers like limited English proficiency, lack of access to digital tools, and distrust in authorities make it incredibly difficult for workers to report abuse [4]. Adding to this, the rural isolation of many farms leaves workers cut off from support services and legal advice.
The statistics paint a grim picture. Migrant workers account for 75% of referrals to the UK's National Referral Mechanism for suspected victims of modern slavery [4]. In 2023, 62% of the agricultural workforce categorised as "seasonal, casual or gang" labour was recruited through the Seasonal Worker Scheme, highlighting the sector's heavy reliance on a workforce with minimal protections [2]. Since 2019, the number of EU workers in UK agriculture has dropped from approximately 38,000 per month to 25,000 in 2023. This decline has coincided with a shift toward recruiting workers from non-EU countries like Kyrgyzstan, who face even greater risks under restrictive visa conditions [2].
Market-Based Solutions for Worker Equity
Fair Food Programmes and Buyer Accountability
The Fair Food Programme (FFP) showcases how legally binding agreements between large buyers and worker organisations can reshape labour conditions. Unlike voluntary corporate responsibility initiatives, the FFP compels major retailers - like Walmart and McDonald's - to source only from growers adhering to a worker-designed Code of Conduct [6][7]. This system tackles wage suppression by ensuring workers benefit financially.
A key feature of the programme is the "penny-per-pound" premium added to produce prices, which directly increases workers' wages [6][9]. Since its launch in 2011, this initiative has injected over £39 million into farmworkers' earnings [9]. Non-compliance by growers results in suspended orders, creating a strong financial incentive to maintain fair practices [6][9].
In October 2010, Pacific Tomato Growers became the first major operation to join the FFP. CEO Jon Esformes committed significant resources - hundreds of thousands of pounds - to improve worker housing and eliminate reliance on labour contractors. By 2024, the company, which employs 2,500 workers and generates over £70 million annually, reported no labour shortages. Workers were drawn to the company due to safer working conditions and better pay [9]. Additionally, the firm experienced no class-action lawsuits or Department of Labour cases on its participating farms [7][8].
"If you're using labour contractors, you have zero visibility. All of these things that are illegal were going on under the labour contractor system on every farm, including ours" [9].
The FFP now safeguards over 20,000 farmworkers across nearly half of the U.S., with no reported cases of forced labour or sexual assault on participating farms [7][8][9]. Seasonal workers can see their pay rise by more than 20% under the programme [9]. By holding buyers accountable and empowering workers, the FFP creates a model for fair labour practices.
Worker Trust Models and Cooperatives
Self-regulated worker models provide another layer of support for equitable labour practices. Worker-Driven Social Responsibility (WSR) flips the traditional monitoring approach by placing workers at the centre. Instead of relying on sporadic external audits, WSR trains workers to act as on-the-ground monitors every day [6][9].
Growers implement Worker Health and Safety Committees and facilitate peer-to-peer rights education during work hours. This builds trust and ensures that workers fully understand their rights and workplace standards [6][8][10]. A 24/7 multilingual hotline further empowers workers to report issues like wage theft or safety violations without fear of retaliation [6][7].
Direct hiring is a cornerstone of this model. By removing third-party labour contractors, growers gain full oversight of their workforce and eliminate the recruitment abuses often tied to contractor systems [9][10]. Jon Esformes of Pacific Tomato Growers has consistently highlighted the benefits of direct hiring, noting its role in eradicating contractor-driven exploitation [9].
Independent Auditing and Compliance Systems
In addition to worker empowerment, independent audits play a critical role in ensuring transparency. The Fair Food Standards Council (FFSC) conducts thorough audits that go beyond traditional social compliance checks. These audits include field visits, confidential interviews with workers, and meticulous reviews of payroll records [6][7]. The FFSC also maintains a public list of supervisors banned from participating farms due to serious violations, ensuring accountability [10].
To address wage disparities, workers are paid based on a visual bucket-filling standard, ensuring every pound picked is accounted for. This eliminates the "rounding down" practices used in the past to suppress wages [8]. Additionally, mandatory time-clock systems, controlled by workers rather than management, provide further transparency [8].
The U.S. Customs and Border Protection has recognised the FFP as a model that outperforms traditional social audits in combating forced labour [8]. A regional Agricultural Enforcement Coordinator from the U.S. Department of Labour summarised the programme's impact:
"The programme's success is absolutely undeniable" [8].
These robust audits not only expose hidden labour abuses but also establish a solid foundation for fair wages, addressing the economic disparities highlighted earlier.
Policy and Legislative Reforms
Minimum Wage Standards for Agriculture
Fair wage laws must extend to farmworkers to address long-standing inequities. In the United States, the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) has excluded agricultural workers from overtime pay and full minimum wage coverage since its inception in 1938 [11]. While Congress began to address this in 1966 by introducing minimum wage requirements for agricultural employers, the initial changes only established a subminimum wage [11].
Teresa Romero, President of United Farm Workers, highlighted the core issue:
"Agricultural work is honourable work and should not be treated as inherently undesirable... Agricultural workers ask only that they be treated with respect, paid a decent wage, and provided with the protections offered to other workers" [11].
Proposed reforms include mandating a minimum two-month pay period for seasonal workers. This would cover migration costs and ensure workers earn a sustainable income [2][12]. In the UK, the Seasonal Worker visa quota for horticulture has expanded significantly, growing from 2,500 in 2019 to 45,000 in 2024. This increase underscores the growing number of workers impacted by these policies [1].
Fair wage policies are a critical first step towards broader reforms that address workers' legal status and protections.
Pathways to Legal Status for Migrant Workers
Nearly half - around 49% - of farmworkers in the United States are undocumented [13]. This lack of legal status leaves them vulnerable to exploitation, including wage theft. The Farm Workforce Modernisation Act (H.R. 1603) aims to address this by introducing Certified Agricultural Worker (CAW) status. This status offers undocumented farmworkers a legal pathway, including indefinite renewals and a route to permanent residency - unlike the temporary nature of the H-2A visa programme [13].
The reliance on H-2A visas has grown dramatically, with the number issued in the U.S. tripling between FY 2011 and FY 2019, surpassing 200,000 for the first time in 2019 [13]. However, temporary schemes often exacerbate power imbalances. The Migration Advisory Committee noted:
"Some [workers] are concerned that if they make a complaint, they may lose their visa and significant potential earnings. This means there is an inherent imbalance of power in comparison to employers" [2].
Adopting the Employer Pays Principle - where employers, not workers, bear visa and travel costs - could help reduce debt bondage and wage suppression [1][2].
For these reforms to succeed, they must be paired with effective enforcement mechanisms that protect workers' rights.
Strengthening Labour Enforcement Mechanisms
Even the best-crafted laws are ineffective without proper enforcement. Mandatory licensing for agricultural labour providers, similar to the UK's Gangmasters and Labour Abuse Authority (GLAA), can ensure compliance with minimum wage laws [5][1]. To complement these efforts, the UK government has allocated up to £50 million for automation technology, aiming to reduce long-term reliance on migrant labour and the challenges of enforcement [14][1].
Currently, enforcement efforts are fragmented. The Migration Advisory Committee observed:
"The current enforcement landscape for Seasonal Workers is fragmented and does not offer an adequate safeguard of seasonal worker rights" [2].
Data-driven approaches, such as regular surveys and monitoring, can identify high-risk employers. For instance, a 2022 survey of 4,000 seasonal farmworkers in the UK revealed that while over 90% reported a positive experience, issues with pay and accommodation remain [1]. Streamlined complaint systems, where workers can report wage violations without risking visa revocation, are also critical. The Home Office sponsor licensing system already includes measures to revoke licences for employers who fail to meet wage standards [1].
A Different Future: Ethical and New Approaches
The Role of The Cultivarian Society
The Cultivarian Society is at the forefront of advocating for cultivated meat as a way to address both ethical concerns and labour challenges. Their mission involves fostering education, encouraging public discussions, and pushing for policy changes to reduce dependence on exploitative, labour-intensive farming practices.
Switching to alternative food production systems, like cultivated meat and other protein alternatives, is gaining attention as a method to modernise the food supply chain. This shift could also reduce the historic reliance on seasonal migrant labour [1][15]. In the UK, the current food system contributes to 12% of the nation’s greenhouse gas emissions and racks up an estimated £268 billion annually in health-related expenses [15]. Cultivated meat presents a promising route to tackle these environmental and economic challenges while addressing systemic labour inequalities within traditional farming practices. It signals a move towards a food system that prioritises sustainability and fairness.
Reducing Dependency on Exploitative Labour Practices
Modern production methods offer an opportunity to significantly cut down on exploitative labour practices. Traditional farming, often reliant on manual labour, has long been associated with risks of exploitation and modern slavery [1]. Industrial agriculture, in particular, heavily depends on temporary migrant workers, highlighting the vulnerabilities within the current system.
By embracing advanced technologies - such as cultivated meat production - these industries aim to replace low-skilled, temporary roles with "high-skilled, high-wage" domestic jobs [1]. The UK government has pledged up to £50 million to support automation technologies, aiming to reduce reliance on migrant labour [14].
Steve Barclay, Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, emphasised this vision:
"We have a huge opportunity before us to modernise the food supply chain through automation, unlocking higher skilled, more attractive jobs for British workers while also improving productivity, product quality and capacity" [1].
Investing in alternative production technologies, including cultivated meat, not only improves productivity but also aligns with fair food initiatives and legislative reforms [14]. As industries transition to these modern systems, it’s essential to establish a new social contract that ensures employment opportunities and worker protections evolve alongside technological advancements [16]. Achieving this requires robust legislation, mandatory reporting, and regulatory frameworks that place equal emphasis on sustainability and equity for workers [15].
Conclusion: Moving Towards Fair Solutions for Farmworkers
Addressing worker inequality requires collective action. Initiatives like the Fair Food Programmes have made a tangible impact, raising wages and generating over US$20 million for farmworkers between January 2011 and October 2015 [17]. However, legislative reforms are equally vital. Expanding full labour protections to all farmworkers and creating legal pathways for undocumented workers - who make up 45% of foreign-born farm labour - are essential steps [18].
Beyond market and policy reforms, technological advancements have the potential to redefine the agricultural workforce. For instance, the UK's £50 million investment in automation [1][14] signals a shift towards replacing exploitative roles with higher-skilled, better-paying jobs. Innovations like vertical farming, controlled environment agriculture, and cultivated meat production not only reduce dependence on vulnerable migrant labour but also help minimise environmental impact.
However, this transition must prioritise the welfare of workers. As Steve Barclay highlighted:
We have a huge opportunity before us to modernise the food supply chain through automation, unlocking higher skilled, more attractive jobs for British workers while also improving productivity, product quality and capacity [1].
To achieve this, strong legislation, mandatory reporting systems, and rigorous oversight by bodies such as the Gangmasters and Labour Abuse Authority are crucial [1][5]. These measures ensure that advancements in food production remain ethical and worker-focused.
The Cultivarian Society’s support for cultivated meat exemplifies how technology can contribute to reducing labour-intensive practices. This shift highlights the benefits of cultivated meat vs traditional meat in creating a more ethical supply chain. By aligning with market and legislative reforms, their approach promotes a fairer, more sustainable food system where innovation benefits everyone.
Creating equitable solutions requires a shared commitment. The 57 recommendations from the Farming Profitability Review 2025 [19], coupled with stricter enforcement and principles like the "Employer Pays Principle" [1][12], provide a clear roadmap. Together, these efforts place worker welfare at the heart of a resilient and ethical food system.
FAQs
How do Fair Food programmes help improve conditions for farmworkers?
Fair Food programmes bring together farmworkers, growers, and retail buyers in a collaborative effort to uphold workers' rights. A key element is the Code of Conduct, which growers agree to follow. This includes ensuring fair wages - funded by a premium paid by buyers - and providing better working conditions. These conditions include access to shade, clean drinking water, proper sanitary facilities, and protective gear. Additionally, workers receive training to help prevent risks like pesticide exposure and heat-related illnesses.
What sets these programmes apart is their worker-driven approach. Farmworkers can report concerns through an independent hotline, with no fear of retaliation. Growers are required to address these issues promptly or face losing their premiums and retail partnerships. This system has effectively eradicated forced labour, child labour, and workplace violence on participating farms, while also boosting wages and improving health and safety measures.
By creating a market-driven incentive for ethical practices, these programmes not only improve the lives of farmworkers but also set a powerful example for supply chains across the UK and beyond.
How can technology help reduce worker exploitation in farming?
Technology is reshaping the way we approach labour-intensive industries, particularly in agriculture, by reducing the need for low-paid, seasonal workers. Tools like AI-powered robots, automated machinery, and precision-farming equipment are stepping in to handle physically demanding tasks. This not only boosts efficiency on farms but also improves working conditions, paving the way for safer, more stable, and better-paid roles for workers.
In the UK, the government has allocated funding to speed up the adoption of these technologies. The goal? To lessen reliance on migrant labour and strengthen the agricultural sector’s resilience. However, experts caution that technology alone won’t solve the issue. For meaningful change, strong labour protections and fair policies must work hand in hand with these innovations to create a workforce that’s both fair and sustainable.
What legislative changes could help protect migrant farmworkers in the UK?
Legislative changes have the potential to significantly strengthen protections for migrant farmworkers by establishing clear, enforceable rights. In the UK, the proposed Migrant Worker Welfare Strategy seeks to tackle exploitation by incorporating key safeguards - such as minimum wage requirements, health and safety standards, and contractual protections - directly into immigration laws. These measures aim to reduce dependence on precarious zero-hours contracts and shield workers from the risks of modern slavery.
The extension of the Seasonal Worker visa scheme until 2029 offers employers a more predictable framework while introducing stricter conditions. Sponsors would need to demonstrate fair pay and provide suitable accommodation before visas are approved. Other recommendations include allowing workers to switch sponsors without jeopardising their immigration status and giving inspectors greater authority to ensure compliance with these standards.
Looking to international examples, legal residency pathways tied to lawful employment could serve as an additional layer of protection. Such measures would help create a more stable and transparent system, discouraging exploitative practices and offering migrant workers greater security in their employment.
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