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Journal of Immigrant and Minority Health

Published in:

01-06-2008 | Original Paper

Promoting the Occupational Health of Indigenous Farmworkers

Authors: Stephanie Farquhar, Julie Samples, Santiago Ventura, Shelley Davis, Michelle Abernathy, Linda McCauley, Nancy Cuilwik, Nargess Shadbeh

Published in: Journal of Immigrant and Minority Health | Issue 3/2008

Abstract

In the United States, approximately 78% of agricultural farmworkers are immigrants. In Oregon, a growing number of these farmworkers are indigenous and speak an indigenous language as their primary language. This group of farmworkers suffers from linguistic, cultural and geographic isolation and faces a unique set of challenges yet little has been done to identify their health needs. Using data from focus groups, partners from this community-based participatory research project examined indigenous farmworkers’ concerns regarding occupational injury and illness, experiences of discrimination and disrespect, and language and cultural barriers. The data revealed examples of disrespect and discrimination based on the languages and cultures of indigenous farmworkers, and a lack of basic occupational health and safety information and equipment. For example, participants mentioned that occupational safety information was inaccessible because it was rarely provided in indigenous languages, and participants felt there were no legal means to protect farmworkers from occupational hazards. Community-based strategies designed to address the occupational health status of farmworkers must consider the unique circumstances of those farmworkers who do not speak Spanish or English.

Note that “migrant” generally refers to farmworkers who leave their permanent residence to work for months in agriculture; “seasonal” refers to farmworkers who work temporarily, or seasonally, but return to their permanent residence each day after work. Both types of farmworkers tend to work in the same type of agricultural jobs, and frequently share language and culture.

The Oregon Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OR-OSHA) administers the Oregon Safe Employment Act of 1973, which was enacted after the federal Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA). OSHA’s “State Plan Agreement” requires Oregon to set job safety and health standards that are “at least as effective as” comparable federal standards.

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Title: Promoting the Occupational Health of Indigenous Farmworkers
Authors: Stephanie Farquhar
Julie Samples
Santiago Ventura
Shelley Davis
Michelle Abernathy
Linda McCauley
Nancy Cuilwik
Nargess Shadbeh
Publication date: 01-06-2008
Publisher: Springer US
Published in: Journal of Immigrant and Minority Health / Issue 3/2008
Print ISSN: 1557-1912
Electronic ISSN: 1557-1920
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10903-007-9075-5

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