Hispanics and Latinos have always been a part of the American story, and their leadership in important labor movementshas helped ensure that workers of all backgrounds can demand better wages and on-the-job protections.

Farmworkers are essential workers who provide food to families across the country and fuel the U.S. economy with their work. As climate change exacerbates extreme events like heatwaves and wildfires, these workers face elevated health risks and even death, given these labor-intensive jobs are mostly done outdoors. Many farmworkers work through these dangerous conditions for very little pay. Democrats in Congress and the Biden-Harris administration are responding to these conditions by expanding farmworker protections around heat and mitigating wildfire risks while also supporting farmworkers' labor rights. Together, these efforts will help make sure farmworkers are safe, healthy, and able to support their families without risking their lives on the job.

Wages and salaries have risen significantly throughout the United States since January 2021. Updated calculations by the JEC Democrats find that average U.S. wages and salaries grew by over $17,600 between January 2021 and July 2024, outpacing price growth during that period by nearly $4,500.