Picture this: A vital bridge between agricultural employers and farm workers, coordinating hundreds of workers across multiple farms during peak harvest seasons. Think about orchestrating the precise timing needed to harvest thousands of acres of strawberries before they spoil, ensuring both workers and farm owners achieve their goals.
Farm labor contractors (FLCs) are essential intermediaries in the agricultural industry, responsible for recruiting, managing, and paying farm workers while ensuring compliance with labor laws and safety regulations.
They coordinate workforce logistics, handle payroll, and maintain crucial relationships between workers and farm owners.
Total employment: 1,500 (2023)
Common Names for Farm Labor Contractors
- Field Manager
- Field Supervisor
- Agricultural Labor Contractor
- Farm Crew Leader
- Agricultural Workforce Manager
- Agricultural Labor Manager
- Contractor
What Farm Labor Contractors Do
Farm labor contractors serve as professional workforce managers in agriculture, with responsibilities including:
- Worker Recruitment and Placement: Identifies, screens, and hires qualified agricultural workers, ensuring proper staffing levels to meet seasonal and ongoing farm labor needs while complying with employment regulations.
- Labor Law Compliance: Maintains current knowledge of and ensures adherence to all federal and state agricultural labor laws, including wage requirements, working conditions, and safety standards to protect both workers and farm operations.
- Workforce Management: Coordinates daily work assignments, supervises crews, and monitors productivity while maintaining accurate time and attendance records for payroll processing and compliance reporting.
- Safety Oversight: Implements and enforces workplace safety protocols, conducts regular safety training sessions, and ensures proper use of equipment and protective gear to prevent workplace injuries and maintain OSHA compliance.
- Housing and Transportation: Arranges and manages worker housing and transportation services when required, ensuring facilities meet health and safety standards and transportation complies with Department of Labor regulations.
- Contract Administration: Develops, manages, and maintains clear written agreements between workers and farm operators, detailing work conditions, compensation, and duration of employment while ensuring transparency for all parties.
- Payroll Processing: Oversees accurate wage calculations, including piece-rate payments and hourly wages, while managing proper tax withholdings and maintaining detailed payment records for compliance purposes.
- Worker Documentation: Verifies and maintains required employment documentation, including I-9 forms, work permits, and certifications, ensuring all workers are legally authorized to work in the United States.
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