Your Rights as a Migrant Worker in Minnesota

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Minnesota law provides certain rights and protections to migrant workers who travel more than 100 miles from another state to perform seasonal agricultural labor—which includes cultivating, harvesting, or processing fruits and vegetables—in Minnesota.

  1. Employment Statement – When you are recruited, your employer must provide you with a written employment statement (in English and Spanish), clearly disclosing the following information:
    • The date and place the written statement was provided to you;
    • The name and permanent address of your employer, your recruiter, and yourself;
    • The date you are expected to arrive at your place of employment;
    • The date your employment is set to begin, as well as the approximate hours of your employment and the minimum period of time your employment will last;
    • The crops and operations for which you will be employed;
    • The wage rates you will be paid, the payment terms (you must be paid at least every two weeks), and any deductions that will be made from your wages;
    • Whether housing will be provided to you;
    • When workers’ compensation insurance is required, the name of the workers’ compensation insurance carrier, phone number, and policy number.
  2. Guaranteed Minimum Hours – Your employer must guarantee you a minimum of 70 hours pay for work during any two-week period. If the biweekly pay you receive is less than this minimum guarantee, your employer must pay you the difference within three days after the scheduled payday for that pay period. This guaranteed minimum can be reduced, however, for any hours you refuse to work or are unable to work due to illness or disability.
  3. You Can Bring a Legal Action Against Your Employer – If you believe your employer is not in compliance with these rights and protections, you can bring a legal action against them.

How the Attorney General’s Office Can Help

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