Re: migrant laborand workerscompensation

[Guest guest]

It is a shame that things have to be made so hard for these people. They have

every right to medical care for their children if they are eligible. Many times

the employer is afraid and needs to have it explained to him or her that medical

applications are not reported to Immigration. (at least not in Kansas) I

understand that there is frustration all around, but this need not be.

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>>> alayne@... 12/02/03 11:53AM >>>

Right, but often the worker is unable to obtain the letter from the crew

leader. Our staff have had to intervene to ensure that the crew leader

will get the letter to the worker. Many times, workers will ask only once

or twice.

We had a case where the wife was the one who tried to get Florida KidCare

insurance for their US born children. She told her husband she needed a

letter and he tried a few times without success. Frustrated, she somehow

got referred to us and our outreach worker intervened directly with the

crew leader. It had already caused marital discord! So, yes, I agree with

you in the abstract but in actuality getting the letter can be a hassle for

some workers.

A

At 11:46 AM 12/2/2003 -0600, you wrote:

>Don't forget that if the employer will supply them with a letter stating

>what is paid, and how often, (with no repercussions to that employer),

>the client can receive medical aid for his/her child(ren).

>At least, that is the way it is in Kansas.

>

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>

> >>> alayne@... 12/02/03 10:36AM >>>

>Dear

>

>Farmworkers and other temporary undocumented workers are often not on the

>books and therefore they have no proof of employment, which makes them

>ineligible under Florida's Workman's Comp. Since 9-11 I can tell you that

>many crew leaders who employ the workers do not pay them with checks

>anymore. Instead they pay them in cash, the transactions are meant to

>ensure that employers who employ workers without legal documents stay out

>of the line of scrutiny. This underground " cash economy " has some far

>reaching consequences. One is that workers who have limited education are

>often unaware of how much they should have been paid and when they receive

>a wad of cash they often fear it is not the right amount. Another is that

>we have many personal cases of folks who cannot even qualify for health

>coverage for their US born children because they really have no proof of

>income.

>

>Hope this is helpful

>Alayne Unterberger

>

>At 05:08 PM 12/1/2003 -0800, you wrote:

> > Rousmaniere,

> >

> >I'm glad to hear that this topic is of interest. I have the firm belief

> >that this is quite important to worker health and safety to have the

> >pressure from a wc system motivating employer health and safety

> >behavior. Idaho adopted wc for its ag workers a few years ago (92 I

> >think). A tragic accident and devastating accident to a farmworker was the

> >back breaking straw. This is probably searchable on the web but i dont

> >have a direct reference.

> >

> >Good luck. This is very important and I would love to see what you come up

> >with.

> >

> > C. Keifer MD MPH

> >Box 357234

> >University of Washington

> >Seattle, WA 98104

> >phone 206 616 1452 phax 206 616 2687

> >

> >On Mon, 1 Dec 2003, leerailunder wrote:

> >

> > > I am a professional in the workers compensation field and a frequent

> > > writer on that topic in the trade press. I am writing an article

> > > promoting the need for coverage in all states of agricultural

> > > workers. Some states exclude these workers from workers comp

> > > benefits.

> > >

> > > The article will probably featres Arkansas, which does not cover

> > > these workers, but I can refer to other states as well.

> > >

> > > I would much apreciate an insights into this issue, inlcuding an

> > > documented cases of real harm to workers for either lack of coverage

> > > or illegal behavior by employers.

> > >

> > > You can reach me via the groups or, preferably, directly as well at

> > > pfr@...

> > >

> > > Thanks,

> > >

> > > Rousmaniere

> > > Somerville MA

> > >

> > >

> > >

> > >

> > >

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> > >