Bracero 2.0: Mexican Workers in North American Agriculture

The migration of Mexican workers to North American farms has had significant implications for agriculture, labor, and economic development. Philip Martin's book "Bracero 2.0" explores the role of rural Mexicans in agriculture, the demand for and supply of farm labor, and alternatives to US farm workers. It concludes with options to improve protections for farm workers and emphasizes the need for continuous labor law compliance.

Format: Hardback
Length: 312 pages
Publication date: 14 December 2023
Publisher: Oxford University Press Inc

The growing demand for fresh fruits and vegetables among consumers has resulted in the employment of five million Mexican-born workers on North American farms annually. The migration of Mexican workers within and from Mexico has significant implications for North American agriculture, labor, and economic development. For instance, the guest worker systems in Canada and the US enable Mexican workers to earn five times more in six months than they could in a year at home, leading to the construction of luxury homes in rural Mexico. However, this migration does not necessarily stimulate economic development. The expansion of export agriculture encourages internal migration from south to north within Mexico, leading migrants to areas offering higher wages but potentially subjecting them to exploitation.

In his book "Bracero 2.0," Philip Martin delves into the role of rural Mexicans in North American agriculture, as well as its implications for farm employers, farm workers, consumers, and the economies of North America. Martin assesses the historical and current demand for and supply of farm labor, as well as the operation of farm labor markets in Canada, Mexico, and the US. He utilizes statistical and survey data to provide a comprehensive portrait of the five million people who work for wages on North American farms. Furthermore, he explores alternatives to US farm workers in major fruits and vegetables, demonstrating how changing consumer preferences can either accelerate or slow down mechanization.

The book concludes with options to improve protections for farm workers, emphasizing the importance of systems that ensure continuous labor law compliance, similar to food safety, rather than compliance solely for government or private audits.

Weight: 592g
Dimension: 245 x 163 x 24 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780197699973