Michigan Farmworker Project: Bridging our understanding of the complex interplay of environmental and occupational exposures with labor exploitation in migrant and seasonal farmworkers in Michigan

Abstract

Introduction: Migrant and seasonal farmworkers (MSFWs) are a highly marginalized population that have historically been exempt from social and labor protections even though agriculture ranks among the most dangerous and lowest-paying occupations in the U.S. Despite the essential role they have in our society, these workers are exposed to a wide range of environmental and occupational exposures, as well as social risk factors such as labor exploitation and labor trafficking.Methods: The Michigan Farmworker Project, a community-based participatory study, assesses the working and living conditions of adult MSFWs. We conducted in-depth semi-structured interviews with 34 Latina/o farmworkers (predominantly from Mexico or of Mexican descent) and 21 key stakeholders in various regions of the state of Michigan (Fall 2019). We assessed indicators of labor exploitation, perceptions and awareness of labor exploitation and labor trafficking in the context of environmental and occupational exposures. Results: Our initial analysis suggests that labor exploitation is intrinsically related to the environmental, occupational, and psychosocial factors of the working environment for these workers. Emergent themes indicate that social vulnerability (e.g., being undocumented), excessive and hazardous working conditions, and dehumanization of the workers exacerbate labor exploitation and have an impact on farmworkers’ health. Workers’ awareness and perceptions of labor exploitation and labor trafficking is shaped by the historical vulnerability and marginalization of the social and working conditions of farmworkers. Additional thematic analysis will be completed by August 2020.Conclusions: Findings will allow us to understand what constitute the multiple risk factors related to environmental and occupational health, including “exploitation” and “forced labor”, and will inform actions to facilitate better service provision and health interventions for MSFWs in Michigan. Findings will inform the development of a larger community-based participatory epidemiological study where we can quantify environmental and occupational exposures and connect these exposures to exploitative labor practices in Michigan.