Farmworkers in Washington state have the following rights:

• To receive the MINIMUM WAGE that applies under the law. For most workers age 16 and over, the minimum wage is $8.07 per hour. The minimum wage for most children age 15 and under is $6.86 per hour. Generally workers are entitled to receive the minimum wage for piece rate work.

• To receive WAGES WHEN DUE. Generally, wages must be paid at least twice a month, but some employers only have to pay once a month. If you are not paid when wages are due, YOU MAY BE ABLE TO FILE A LIEN against the employer's crop or orchard to improve your chances of getting paid. These liens must be filed quickly - within 40 days from the last day of work or 40 days from the end of the season. If you need to file a lien, you should contact an attorney right away.

• To receive a PAYCHECK STUB that shows your total hours worked, the rate of pay, the number of piece work units earned, the total pay, the pay period, and all deductions. The stub must also show the employer's name, address and telephone number.

• To receive in writing SPECIFIC INFORMATION ABOUT WAGES AND WORKING CONDITIONS before starting the majority of farm jobs. If you are not a migrant worker, you must ask for the information to receive it.

• To be covered by UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE if you have worked 680 hours with legal authorization to work in the United States.

• To have DRINKING WATER, SANITARY TOILETS AND HANDWASHING FACILITIES in the field.

• To work in an ENVIRONMENT FREE FROM HAZARDS that can cause grave injuries. To know which PESTICIDES are being used in the job, the hazards of the pesticides, and how to protect yourself.

• To be covered by INDUSTRIAL INSURANCE if you injure yourself at work, which pays medical costs and time loss.

• To receive a paid 10 minute REST BREAK for every four hours worked and unpaid 30 minute MEAL BREAK if you work more than five hours.

• To JOIN WITH OTHER WORKERS to improve working conditions and wages without being fired or being discriminated against.

• To NOT SUFFER RETALIATION or DISCRIMINATION for exercising your rights under the above laws.

You, as a farmworker, have these and other legal rights. Legal Services has offices that provide advice and representation to farm workers. For more information or an appointment, call:

COLUMBIA LEGAL SERVICES

Wenatchee Office
300 Okanogan Avenue, Suite 2-A
Wenatchee, WA 98801
(509) 662-9681
1-800-572-9615 (no charge)

Yakima Office
600 Larson Building
6 South Second Street
Yakima, WA 98901
(509) 575-5590
1-800-631-1323 (no charge)

Tri Cities Office
418 F. North Kellogg
Kennewick, WA 99336
(509) 374-9855
1-888-201-9735 (no charge)

NORTHWEST JUSTICE PROJECT

Wenatchee Office
300 Okanogan Avenue, Suite 3-A
Wenatchee, WA 98801
(509) 664-5101
1-888-201-1021 (no charge)
001-888-294-3503 (no charge from Mexico)

Yakima Office
510 Larson Building
6 South Second Street
Yakima, WA 98901
(509) 574-4234
1-888-201-1018 (no charge)
001-888-294-3501 (no charge from Mexico

Bellingham Office
1814 Cornwall Avenue
Bellingham, WA 98225
(360) 734-8680
1-800-562-8836 (no charge)

Western Washington
1-888-201-1014 CLEAR intake line
TTY 1-888-201-9737

For immigration help and immigration enforcement concerns:

Northwest Immigrants Rights Project

For wage claims or work injury claims contact:

Department of Labor & Industries

U.S. Department of Labor - Wage and Hour Division

1111 3rd Avenue, Suite 750
Seattle, WA 98101
1-866-487-9243

For help with treatment of pesticide poisoning:

Washington State Poison Control Center
1-800-732-6985 - 24 hour service with interpreters available

For problems with unemployment insurance claims:

The Unemployment Law Project
1904 Third Avenue, Suite 604
Seattle, WA 98101
(206) 441-9178
1-888-441-9178

To apply for food stamps, medical benefits and financial assistance:

Department of Social and Health Services

Bellingham                                          360-714-4000

Mt. Vernon                                          360-416-7444

Sunnyside                                            1-800-468-9361

Pasco                                                   1-800-922-3437

Yakima                                               1-800-822-2097

Walla Walla                                       1-800-922-3442

Wenatchee                                       1-800-272-8881

Housing Problems:

Tenants Union
Hotline (206) 723-0500
TTY: (206) 723-0523 (for the hearing-impaired)

Northwest Fair Housing Alliance
1-800-200-3247

U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
1-800-877-0246 for complaints on housing discrimination

Consumer Information:

State of Washington - Consumer Protection Complaints & Inquiries
1-800-551-4636

Revised 1/08