Farmworkers And Laborers, Crop

Job description

Workers will perform assigned duties as described in this clearance order and as instructed by their supervisors.
Planting and harvesting (field cutting) sugarcane in crews of nine to load, unload, plant, and cut seed cane pieces alongside field tractors pulling wagons filled with seed cane. Five workers will position themselves on top of a wagon parked in the field to plant four rows simultaneously by manually dropping two cane sticks every four feet, while one worker per row will utilize a manual hand tool, such as a cane knife or hand machete, to cut and chop the seed cane stalks down to an approximate length of 36 inches for immediate planting. All workers must strictly adhere to quality standards to ensure proper crop establishment, and working collectively as a crew unit, must be capable of planting and cutting a minimum of one row, one-half mile in length, per hour to maintain pace with field operations. The employer allows a five-day acclimatization period from the first day of employment for new workers to adapt to the team pace and reach this crew production standard. As an incidental duty, workers may assist with the use of farm equipment strictly under direct supervision within the farm premises when necessary to facilitate manual field operations. During periods when harvesting (field cutting) or planting work is not available, or if workers are placed on physical work restrictions, individuals may be required to perform miscellaneous general maintenance and clean-up activities on farm structures, work site property, and worker housing. These alternative duties include the sprouting, pruning, and painting of trees, the removal of debris, weeds, and vines, performing minor irrigation repairs, and conducting basic cleaning and routine repair of farm structures and housing facilities.

Workers must be able to perform strenuous manual labor outdoors in all weather conditions, including heat, cold, and rain, up to the total daily hours offered. The position requires physical strength and endurance to bend, stoop, and stand for extended periods, as well as manual dexterity to repetitively use hands properly and productively to maintain an efficient and continuous workflow. The employer will provide all necessary tools and equipment to perform the described job duties at no charge to the worker. Consistent with applicable law, the employer may recover the reasonable cost of repair or replacement of tools if damage results from the worker’s willful misconduct or gross negligence after the damage has occurred and after gaining the employee's written authorization to make the deduction, provided such deduction does not reduce wages below the required legal minimum. At its sole discretion, the employer may pay a higher wage rate based on individual performance or tenure, which does not alter the entry-level requirements of this position.

When production needs require, the employer may offer hours in excess of the daily or weekly schedule stated in the ETA-790, there is a possibility that available work hours will be in excess of 20% of the hours offered but they are not guaranteed. These additional hours are strictly voluntary and not guaranteed; no worker is required to work beyond the contracted hours, on federal holidays, or on their Sabbath, and no worker will be penalized for declining such work. Due to the nature of agriculture, workers should expect occasional periods of little or no work due to weather, crop maturity, or other conditions beyond the employer's control. These periods may occur at any time throughout the season. In the event of a worker-requested leave of absence during periods of available work, all missed hours will be deducted from the actual hours worked but will be credited as "hours offered" toward the fulfillment of the three-quarter guarantee. Workers are responsible for providing their own suitable work clothing.

Special Requirements

This type of work, involves working conditions that require tremendous stamina, a high level of physical activity in cold or extremely hot conditions in direct sunlight and in adverse weather such as rain. The work requires a high level of physical conditioning.