Oregon’s HB-4002 legislation, passed in 2022 with a 5-year phased in implementation starting in January 2023, extends overtime pay protections to agricultural workers, a sector historically exempt from such benefits. This study will investigate how the new law affects Latinx agricultural workers, with a focus on financial security, health, and family well-being. By examining potential benefits like improved health outcomes and increased income, as well as challenges like job insecurity or fear of retaliation, the research seeks to offer policymakers a nuanced perspective on the effectiveness and limitations of overtime protections within immigrant and low-wage labor communities.
Research Questions
Using a social justice and equity lens, we will explore the following research questions with the overarching goal of reducing racial and sociodemographic inequities in health and well-being:
- What is the expected impact of the Overtime Law in Oregon on the health and well-being of farmworkers and their families, including both positive and negative outcomes?
- What are the barriers to reporting violations of the law, such as fear of job loss and wage theft, to identify areas for intervention and system improvement directly addressing social justice and equity?
- What are the roles of sociodemographic (gender, English proficiency) and psychosocial (social support) factors as moderators of the relationship between the overtime law implementation and health outcomes of farmworkers and their families?
The study’s findings will inform policymakers on effective labor standards that protect vulnerable workers while supporting their health and economic security.