Following an investigation by Robert Lopez, with support from the Fund, which found that children are working in unsafe conditions in California’s agriculture industry, officials announced changes. For the Los Angeles Times and Capital & Main, Lopez interviewed dozens of young farmworkers who described toiling in fields that reeked of chemicals, laboring for piece-rate wages that paid less than minimum wage and struggling in the summer sun without shade – all of which are violations of state law. He analyzed more than 50,000 enforcement records, which revealed systemic breakdowns in child labor and workplace safety enforcement. Days after the investigation was published, California officials announced that they are launching joint task force operations and efforts to improve data sharing among agencies, in order to increase the number of inspectors in the field and identify violators for potential investigation.
Grantee investigation prompts state changes to protect underage farmworkers
