Migrant Farmworkers? In Illinois?

Most of us think of migrant farmworkers as a relic of our nation's past. Mention migrant workers and images of the Grapes of Wrath or Cesar Chavez come to mind. But these men, women and even children, whose labor assures that our families do not go hungry, continue to make up one of the most marginalized segments of our society.

There are an estimated 30,000 migrant farmworkers and family members living and working in Illinois. Farm labor is not only arduous and dangerous, but often characterized by long, unpredictable work schedules and sub-poverty wages. Most farmworkers do not benefit from the wage and hour protection, workplace health and safety laws, or paid sick leave and health insurance benefits that other workers in this nation enjoy. Many migrants still live in crowded, substandard housing.

Changes in immigration patterns and agricultural production have created dramatic shifts in the demographic profile of farmworkers. Most agricultural workers are recently arrived immigrants from rural areas in Mexico. An increasing percentage of these workers are unaccompanied men who come to Illinois in search of work and must leave behind their wives and children. Although more than half of Illinois' farmworkers are still migratory, expansion in the nursery and greenhouse industries has created a year round demand for farm labor. This enables some migrant workers to provide a more stable living environment for their families, but also creates additional needs for health care and social services.

Much is said about the plight of migrant farmworkers, but it is equally important to recognize their contributions to the economic, social and cultural fabric of this country. Through their devotion to family, pride in their work, resilience and resourcefulness in the face of adversity, and hope for a brighter future for their children, migrant farmworkers inspire all who have known the privilege of working with them.

Health Care Needs of Migrant Farmworkers

Migrant farmworkers in Illinois suffer high rates of illness, injury and chronic disease. Hazardous working conditions, substandard and overcrowded housing, and migration itself can cause or complicate these health problems.

Farmworkers are unable to access basic health care, primarily due to their low income status. Eighty-eight percent of families served by CHP earn incomes well below federal poverty guidelines and 93% of migrant farmworkers in Illinois are uninsured and ineligible for Medicaid. This reality, coupled with a lack of paid sick leave, forces farmworkers to choose between job security and their personal health. As a result, many farmworkers do not seek health care until they are acutely ill.

Role of Farmworkers in Service Delivery and Governance

CHP strives to reduce health problems in the farmworker population through a continuum of care that includes health screening, assessment, intervention and follow-up. Our Promotores de Salud (Health Promoters) program encourages farmworkers to be active participants in the wellness process. This program provides stipends, training and ongoing support to 16 farmworker men and women each year who serve as community health educators and advocates. This Promotores de Salud program has proven to be a powerful mechanism for personal and community development around issues of health and wellness. This program was established in 1996 with the assistance and support of Migrant Health Promotion.

Farmworkers who utilize our programs and services constitute a majority of our Board of Directors. This assures that the community we serve is well represented and plays a key role in determining program priorities, policies, and the overall mission and direction of the organization.