Not outside the law

Palm Beach Post Editorial
Thursday, February 12, 2004

Laws and rules written to protect farmworkers have done little good over the years because

of inadequate or nonexistent enforcement efforts. Abuses continue in the fields because

regulators seldom force labor bosses to comply with standards.

Recent sweeps of citrus groves in Palm Beach, St. Lucie, Okeechobee and several other

counties are encouraging indications that state officials are serious about enforcement.

The Department of Business and Professional Regulation set up early-morning inspections

and roadblocks outside 10 groves in January and uncovered numerous violations.

In St. Lucie County, labor bosses at four groves received citations for providing no sanitary

facilities for their workers. In Okeechobee County, inspectors found transportation violations

that included overloaded vehicles and unauthorized drivers. The department did spot-checks of

10 contractors at Palm Beach County groves in November and issued four citations.

Mark Whitten, director of professions and regulations, says in the last year the department

has stepped up its efforts to identify unlicensed contractors and better regulate the licensed ones.

"We do this proactive enforcement," Mr. Whitten says, "to make sure they are complying."

Since last summer when the growing season began, inspectors have carried out 21 sweeps

throughout the state and uncovered 257 violations. The more aggressive approach to enforcement

enhances deterrence and sends the message that real consequences await employers 

who break the rules.

It also will encourage voluntary compliance. Last month, federal regulators and the

Gulf Citrus Growers Association signed a formal agreement to work together to ensure

that labor laws are followed. The agreement calls for annual meetings between

U.S. Department of Labor officials and growers to discuss workers' wage regulations.

A program for monitoring contractors is also part of the accord. The partnership with

government provides employers  who want to run their business the right way a structure to do so.

Abuses of farmworkers have continued for decades because government has refused to

demand change and relied on the conscience of growers to police themselves. The new emphasis

on enforcement and programs for voluntary compliance raises hopes for some real reform