Take Action Before Monday, June 29th to Strengthen Migrant Workers' Rights!

June 24, 2015

 

Dear friends,

For almost a decade, CDM has supported Mexican migrant workers in defending their U.S. labor rights. During that time we have partnered with thousands of H-2B visa holders, who work seasonally in the U.S. as landscapers, seafood processors, fair and carnival operators and tree planters, to defend their rights. Our reports, Picked Apart and Taken for a Ride, brought to public attention the systemic abuses affecting H-2B workers in the seafood and carnival industries. Recruitment Revealed started a critical dialogue among policymakers about fraud and exploitation in the international labor recruitment process for H-2B and H-2A workers.

After years of advocacy by CDM and allies, the Departments of Labor (DOL) and Homeland Security (DHS) released groundbreaking regulations for the H-2B program in April 2015. These regulations include many of the strong worker protections CDM has demanded. They represent an important victory for CDM and the H-2B workers with whom we partner!

However, though these regulations are currently in effect, they are subject to change. DOL and DHS will accept public comments about the regulations until Monday, June 29th, 2015.Opponents of strong worker protections are mobilizing to oppose the worker protections in the regulations, and it is critical that the agencies hear from H-2B workers and their allies who support workers’ rights.

Watch this CDM video to hear Migrant Defense Committee members talk about their experiences with the H-2B visa program and call for strong worker protections in the new regulations:

We need YOU to send in a comment TODAY. Visit Contratados.org/en/action to see a model comment and instructions on how to send it to the U.S. government.This should take no more than 5 minutes, and can make the difference in ensuring that workers’ rights are upheld!

Thank you for your support!

In solidarity,

 

The CDM Team