Serving Migrant Communities

Legal Rights of Migrant Workers

Migrant farmworkers—whether documented or undocumented—have legal rights in the
United States. They have the right to work in an environment free from sexual violence and discrimination of all forms. Several pivotal federal laws protect these rights as follows:

• Title VII of the Civil Rights Act prohibits discrimination against employees based on race, color, religion, sex, and national origin.
• The Equal Pay Act, an amendment to the Fair Labor Standards Act, requires employers to pay their employees equal pay for equal work, regardless of gender.
• The Family Medical Leave Act entitles some employees to unpaid leave due to medical conditions, required medical care, inability to work due to medical conditions, the birth and care of a newborn child, the adoption of a child, or the taking in of a child for foster care.

In addition to federal laws, states may have laws that further protect migrant workers' rights. For more related information, consult with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.