This section of PALawHelp.org has information and resources about Employment Issues for Migrants in Pennsylvania.
Click on a resource category listed below to see information related to that category.
Human Trafficking
Human trafficking involves the use of force, fraud, or coercion to obtain some type of labor or commercial sex act. This classroom resource provides information about human trafficking, including how to deal with it, and how to report if you are a victim of trafficking.
National Human Trafficking Hotline
The National Human Trafficking Hotline connects victims and survivors of sex and labor trafficking with services and supports to get help and stay safe. The Trafficking Hotline also receives tips about potential situations of sex and labor trafficking and facilitates reporting that information to the appropriate authorities in certain cases. Call: 1-888-373-7888; TTY: 711; Text* 233733
National Human Trafficking Hotline
The National Human Trafficking Hotline connects victims and survivors of sex and labor trafficking with services and supports to get help and stay safe. The Trafficking Hotline also receives tips about potential situations of sex and labor trafficking and facilitates reporting that information to the appropriate authorities in certain cases. Call: 1-888-373-7888; TTY: 711; Text* 233733
Federal Court Finder
Find a federal court location by location or court name, including appellate, district, bankruptcy, probation and pretrial office, or federal defender organization. Each District Court has its own local forms which are generally available on the Court website.
Sexual Violence Against Farmworkers: A Guidebook for Legal Providers
The goal of this guidebook from the Southern Poverty Law Center is to increase the knowledge and skills of legal professionals so that you can better serve farmworkers who have experienced sexual violence. It provides helpful explanations about the life and work of farmworkers as well as unique issues that may impact the services you provide. (April 2010)
Fact Sheet #35: Joint Employment and Independent Contractors Under the Migrant and Seasonal Agricultural Worker Protection Act
The Migrant and Seasonal Agricultural Worker Protection Act (MSPA) provides employment-related protections to migrant and seasonal agricultural workers. The protections do not apply to individuals who are independent contractors rather than employees. Agricultural workers can have more than one employer at the same time. Each "joint employer" is responsible for all employer obligations under the MSPA, but MSPA does not require the unnecessary duplication of effort. Thus, employer responsibility(ies) may be carried out by only one of the joint employers. However, the failure to provide the required protections will result in joint liability for all joint employers. This Fact Sheet provides answers to frequently asked questions concerning independent contractors and joint employers under MSPA. (January 2020)
Fact Sheet #49: The Migrant and Seasonal Agricultural Worker Protection Act
The Migrant and Seasonal Agricultural Worker Protection Act (MSPA) protects migrant and seasonal agricultural workers by establishing employment standards related to wages, housing, transportation, disclosures and recordkeeping. MSPA also requires farm labor contractors to register with the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL). This fact sheet from the United States Department of Labor outlines the rights protected by the Migrant and Seasonal Agricultural Worker Protection Act. (July 2008)
Fair Labor Standards Act Advisor
The Fair Labor Standards Act Advisor, from the United States Department of Labor, provides employers and employees with the information they need to understand Federal minimum wage, overtime, child labor and recordkeeping requirements. The child labor section answers questions from youth, parents, teachers and employers about Federal child labor rules. This Advisor was developed by the Wage and Hour Division.
Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) Minimum Wage Poster
Poster from the United States Department of Labor outlining current minimum wage requirements.
National Farmworker Jobs Program
The National Farmworker Jobs Program (NFJP) is a nationally-directed, locally-administered program of services for migrant and seasonal farmworkers. NFJP, with support from the United States Department of Labor, assists migrant and other seasonally-employed farmworkers and their families achieve economic self-sufficiency through job training and other services that address their employment related needs.
National Human Trafficking Hotline
The National Human Trafficking Hotline connects victims and survivors of sex and labor trafficking with services and supports to get help and stay safe. The Trafficking Hotline also receives tips about potential situations of sex and labor trafficking and facilitates reporting that information to the appropriate authorities in certain cases. Call: 1-888-373-7888; TTY: 711; Text* 233733
PA Courts Public Access Policy - Filing Requirements in the Courts (Video)
Effective on January 6, 2018, a new Public Access Policy is in effect in Pennsylvania Courts. This policy imposes requirements on anyone filing court documents in the trial and appellate courts to safeguard information in the documents they file. The Pennsylvania Courts have released this series of videos that explain the judiciary’s new policy for protecting confidential information and the required steps you must take to protect that information when filing documents in the courts.
Social Security & Entering the United States of America
Section of the Social Security Administration website providing information about Social Security for recent immigrants and other non-citizens entering the United States.
Wage and Hour Division, U.S. Department of Labor
Website of the Wage and Hour Division of the U.S. Department of Labor.
Frequently Asked Questions: DACA and Your Workplace Rights
In light of the ongoing uncertainty about the future of DACA, This FAQ provides background on your workplace rights as a worker with DACA. Originally published in September 2017.
Frequently Asked Questions: Proving Work Authorization & Reverification
This resource from the National Immigration Law Project provides guidance on frequently asked questions, including the requirements for proving work authorization in the United States, why employers verify work eligibility, the retention of documents, protection against discrimination or "document abuse," and more. Originally published in October 2015.