Illinois' Farmworkers

What  are farmworker needs?

The lifestyle of many of Illinois' migrant farmworkers is one of poverty characterized by inadequate income, insufficient housing, occupational hazards, job insecurity and extensive spans of unemployment, lack of marketable employment skills, discrimination based on U.S. citizenship status, minimal education and health risks. Annual seasonal migration results in little continuity in the education of children affecting generations. The current average education level for migrant adults is below eighth grade or high school. Many families have limited use of English in communicating with local communities.  Wages earned during a typical working season by the farmworker are needed for daily living expenses and for the winter's non-working months. There are few, if any, family resources available to meet emergency needs. Any loss of wages impedes essential socio-economic stability. Families frequently need help to cover basic necessities and other living demands: food, clothing, shelter, health care, child care, transportation to maintain their families during the interim periods prior to being hired, during work delays or between seasonal farmwork jobs. They may also need assistance in identifying alternative jobs to achieve stable employment so they may improve their income and achieve adequate levels of economic self-sufficiency.  IMC photo archives   housing needs  health needs  future outlook  who are Illinois' farmworkers?

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Illinois Migrant Council (IMC)
info@illinoismigrant.org
Last revised: December 27, 1999