NMDWS Organizes Migrant and Seasonal Farmworkers Resource Fair
For Immediate Release
February 24, 2020
Contact: Stacy Johnston
Acting Public Information Officer
505.250.3926
NMDWS Organizes Migrant and Seasonal Farmworkers Resource Fair
(Hatch, NM) – The New Mexico Department of Workforce Solutions (NMDWS) organized a resource fair last week for migrant and seasonal farmworkers to provide information on wage laws and career services alongside service providers for health care, education, and legal aid.
The resource fair took place on Friday, February 21, 2020 in Hatch, New Mexico, with over 150 individuals in attendance to learn about their wage and hour rights.
Information was presented on minimum wage, rest breaks and meal period, health and safety conditions on the worksite, and their rights against discrimination.
“Governor Lujan Grisham is concerned with the wellbeing of all our families,” said Department of Workforce Solutions Cabinet Secretary Bill McCamley. “This includes our neighbors who work the fields. They make sure our stomachs are full, so giving those families resources to access healthcare , education, housing, legal, and wage theft services helps us all do better.”
Farmworkers have the right to file a wage claim if non-payment or underpayment of wages has occurred. A Wage Claim form in both Spanish and English is available at www.dws.state.nm.us/Wage-and-Hour, or at at any Labor Relations Division office or New Mexico Workforce Connection Center.
New Mexico Workforce Connection (NMWC) presented information on job training programs through the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act. The programs include subsidized wages and tuition assistance for low-income students going to school.
In addition to job training programs, NMWC offered resources on resume writing, interview tips, and information on community services.
Partners who also attended the event included, Youth Development Inc., Doña Ana Community College, Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act, Help NM, Colonias Development, New Mexico State University, Amador Health Center, Ben Archer Health Center, Terra Del Sol, Texas Rio Grande Legal Aid, and the U.S. Census Bureau.
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