Illinois' Farmworkers

Future Outlook

Illinois' farmworkers suffer chronic seasonal unemployment and underemployment in the agricultural industry due to: continuing advances in technology and mechanization  changing grower ownerships unpredictable weather conditions  revised crop growing schedules  increased urbanization of formerly rural areas  These factors significantly affect opportunities for farmwork jobs and thus the earnings of a farmworker family in Illinois. More farmworkers are staying unemployed for longer periods of time.  The Jobs Rated Almanac in past years, based upon data from the U.S. Census Bureau, Commerce Department and Bureau of Labor Statistics, has ranked migrant farmwork as the worst job of 250 American jobs in terms of wage, stress, work environment, future outlook, security and physical demands. As the competition for fewer jobs increases, Illinois farmworkers will inevitably face large scale unemployment/underemployment and will need training in alternative occupations or in acquiring new skills within agriculture.   housing needs  health needs  needs of farmworkers who are Illinois' farmworkers?

IMC HomelocationsIL farmworkersservicesWIA partnercontacts

Illinois Migrant Council (IMC)
info@illinoismigrant.org
Last revised: March 18, 2008