Issue Position: Protect Our Farmworkers

Issue Position

Maria Isabel Vasquez Jimenez, a 17-year-old girl, died in 2008 of heat stroke while working in a California vineyard. Her body temperature rose to 108 degrees. Her tragic case is far from unusual. Since 2007, 25 farm workers have died of heat stroke because water was not provided. What is particularly tragic about this case is that the heat took two lives. Maria was pregnant.
California law protects animals from overwork, exhaustion and neglect. The law guarantees that animals be treated properly with adequate food, water, shelter and rest in order to live. Violation of the law is a misdemeanor or felony.
California law requires provision of water for beasts of burden, circus elephants, and pet store animals.
In short, farmworker employers treat their live stock better than they do farmworkers. This will stop when I am in the Assembly.

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