Food Labor and the Trump Administration: A Grim Prognosis

Farm laborers made few gains under the Obama administration; however, food workers received some benefit under the Obama’s Secretary of Labor, Tom Perez. Unfortunately, any gains for food workers will likely be rolled back under the Trump administration through both his cabinet appointments and judicial appointments. This essay predicts a strengthening of “ag-gag” bills and a weakening of Occupational Safety and Health Agency (OSHA). President Trump’s attacks on immigration and regulations also signal fewer workers’ rights in the fields and less accountability of exploitative employers