In recent years, the Latino population in San Benito - a largely rural county in California - has grown significantly. A tremendous percentage of the immigrant population is employed in agriculture doing fieldwork, cannery work and assembly.

Unfortunately, the rights of immigrant workers in these jobs are violated more frequently because the workers lack information. Many times Latinos with disabilities are not aware of the services available to them in the community.

Jess Murguia, an ex-migrant seasonal farm worker, provides outreach to the farm worker community. He is an Outreach Worker with the Employment Development Department. Jess has been doing this type of work for nine years although he has only been in San Benito County for three. One of the reasons Murguia has had success doing outreach to this underserved population is his ability to relate to the people. Murguia is bicultural, bilingual and has personal experience doing work in the fields. His main goals are to inform people of their rights as employees and to let them know what services are available in the community.

His caseload regarding work-related injuries is on the rise. Murguia states that often Latino workers get injured in the workplace but they do not report the injury for fear or lack of information. Jess states, "Many times the worker reports the injury to their supervisor, but nothing is done and the employee continues to work with the pain because they are in financial need and do not know their rights."

He informs workers that they can qualify for medical treatment and possibly monetary benefits, if eligible, under the workers compensation law. Many times the farm workers are afraid to speak up, but Jess lets them know they have rights and options. He refers them to the San Benito County One Stop Career Center or the Department of Rehabilitation (DR) and Central Coast Center for Independent Living (CCCIL).

The One Stop Career Center, DR and CCCIL work together to offer services to the disability community. The Center has accessible equipment so people with disabilities can search for employment. The EDD One Stop Career Center received funding more than a year ago to purchase accessible equipment. They offer a computer equipped with software such as Zoom Text and Jaws for people who have vision impairments. The computer has a 20-inch monitor, a specialized keyboard with large keys, a mouse that is easier to use for people who have mobility limitations. Jobseekers can get on the Internet or visit Cal Jobs, an online system for linking jobseekers to employment in California, at the center.

Jess continues his outreach in an effort to provide information about the services available to the farm worker population, and to let them know that the One Stop Center has many tools they can use in order to continue looking for employment once they are laid off or terminated.

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