DOL Offers Free Labor Law Training in December for Florida Agricultural Employers, Farm Labor Contractors

The Department of Labor is inviting agricultural employers and farm labor contractors in Florida to attend a free compliance assistance workshop in December, organized by the Wage and Hour Division (WHD), to increase compliance with the Migrant and Seasonal Agricultural Worker Protection Act (MSPA) and the H-2A section of the Immigration Reform and Control Act. These training sessions are part of the WHD’s multi-year enforcement initiative aimed at strengthening compliance in Florida’s agricultural industry.

The Department noted that virtually all employees engaged in agriculture are covered by federal law because they produce goods for interstate commerce. Most agricultural employers, agricultural associations, and farm labor contractors are subject to the MSPA, which protects migrant and seasonal agricultural workers by establishing employment standards related to wages, housing, transportation, disclosures, and record-keeping. The MSPA also requires farm labor contractors to register with the Department of Labor.

Training topics will include no-cost housing and transportation arrangements, employee work hours and wage rates, and record-keeping requirements. There are three dates/times available to attend the training:

• The first training will be held on Monday, December 5, 2011, at 5:30 p.m. EST at South Florida Community College’s DeSoto Campus, 2251 Turner Ave. NE, Arcadia, FL  34266.
• On Tuesday, December 6, the same training will be held at 5:30 p.m. EST at South Florida Community College’s Highlands Campus, 600 West College Drive, Avon Park, FL  33825.
• On Wednesday, December 7, the training will be presented at 5:30 p.m. EST at the Florida Strawberry Growers Association Education and Event Center, 13138 Lewis Gallagher Road, Dover, FL  33527.

To register or request more information on these free trainings, call Mike Rios, WHD, at 813-857-3868. The notice is available here.