The legislature is considering a bill to extend minimum wage rules (and perhaps other regulations too) to agri. workers. Organizations which represent the interests of owners of agri. operations oppose the bill on the grounds that many owners\operators are running on such thin profit margins that they can not afford such requirements, Since agri. is such an important part of our local industrial base, do we all not have a vital interest in how the local agri. workforce lives or leaves? If the economics do not provide a life sustaining share for the hired workers, does not the rest of the community end up having to use tax money to help the workers stay alive? Is that not a subsidy to the owner\operators?
Where am I?
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@James D. Parmenter I agree with you that we all have a vital interest in how the local agri work force lives.
Here is a link to the bill that James is referencing: http://leg.colorado.gov/bills/sb21-087. Lots of pieces there, but includes more protections for ag workers.
The bill was introduced in February and passed its first committee hearing last Wednesday by 4-3 vote. A few key factors the bill calls for is authorization of ag employees to organize and join unions, and, as James mentioned, grant new rights on wages.
@Josue Perez Providing the link is appreciated!
of course!