Rep. Zamarripa Thanks Wisconsin Farmworkers and Activists after Migrant Labor Council Hearing

Rep. JoCasta Zamarripa (D-Milwaukee) released the following statement after Sunday’s public hearing on Migrant Labor during COVID-19 as a part of the Governor’s Council on Migrant Labor:

“Each year, as a thank you to our migrant and seasonal farmworkers, we hold a picnic in their honor. This year, due to the global pandemic, we couldn’t even meet in person. I’m disappointed we couldn’t show our love and support to these laborers, these essential employees who have worked tirelessly throughout the COVID-19 outbreak to make sure there is food on the shelves for all of us.

“Instead, we held a public hearing online Sunday to hear directly from workers on how the outbreak has affected them. I was happy to hear that there are farmers who have protected their employees and taken great measures to ensure safety on the job. Of course, there is still much more to be done for migrant labor across the state.  In fact, some couldn’t join us due to the lack of reliable rural internet access, an important necessity for everyone especially in a pandemic.

“On that note, I’d also like to thank the wonderful advocates who have been looking out for these workers. For example, the staff at the United Migrant Opportunity Services (UMOS) has provided educational materials and PPE, including 50,000 facemasks, to keep essential migrant and seasonal farmworkers safe during this pandemic. They have coordinated with DWD, DHS, county health departments and La Clinica Family Health Center to make sure they get the resources they need, and they have provided emergency farmworker funding for lost wages due to COVID-19 related sickness.

“I have so much gratitude for farmworkers, advocates and the staff at DWD under the leadership of Gov. Evers who have not forgotten about vulnerable populations during these trying times. I look forward to celebrating our thanks to everyone next year in person.”

Rep. JoCasta Zamarripa (D-Milwaukee) emitió la siguiente declaración después de la audiencia pública del domingo sobre el trabajo migrante durante COVID-19 como parte de la reunión del Gobernador. Consejo de Trabajo Migrante:

“Cada año, como agradecimiento a nuestros trabajadores agrícolas migrantes y de temporada, organizamos un picnic en su honor. Este año, debido a la pandemia mundial, ni siquiera pudimos reunirnos en persona. Estoy decepcionada porque no pudimos mostrar nuestro amor y apoyo a estos trabajadores, estos empleados que han trabajado incansablemente durante el brote de COVID-19 para asegurar que haya comida en los estantes para todos nosotros.

“En lugar de eso, celebramos una audiencia pública en línea el domingo para escuchar directamente a los trabajadores sobre cómo la pandemia les ha afectado. Me alegró saber que hay agricultores que han protegido a sus empleados y tomaron grandes medidas para garantizar la seguridad en el trabajo. Por supuesto, todavía hay mucho más por hacer por la mano de obra migrante en todo el estado. De hecho, algunos no pudieron unirse a nosotros debido a la falta de acceso confiable de Internet rural, una necesidad importante para todos, especialmente en una pandemia.

“En ese sentido, también me gustaría agradecer a los maravillosos defensores que han estado apoyando a estos trabajadores. Por ejemplo, el personal de United Migrant Opportunity Services (UMOS) ha proporcionado materiales educativos y EPP, incluidas 50.000 mascarillas, para mantener a los trabajadores agrícolas migrantes y de temporada a salvo durante esta pandemia. Se han coordinado con DWD, DHS, departamentos de salud del condado y La Clinica Family Health Center para asegurar que todos obtengan los recursos que necesitan y han proporcionado fondos de emergencia para trabajadores agrícolas para los salarios perdidos debido a una enfermedad relacionada con COVID-19.

“Siento mucha gratitud por los trabajadores agrícolas, los defensores y el personal de DWD bajo el liderazgo del gobernador Evers que no se han olvidado de las poblaciones vulnerables durante estos tiempos difíciles. Espero poder celebrar nuestro agradecimiento a todos el próximo año en persona.”

NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. It has not been verified for its accuracy or completeness.

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