12/30/02

LC021230

VAL ZAVALA>> TONIGHT ON A SPECIAL LIFE AND TIMES --

THEY’RE THE PEOPLE WHO PUT FOOD ON YOUR TABLE, SO WHY ARE THEY BEING EXPOSED TO HAZARDOUS PESTICIDES AND TOLD THAT IT’S MEDICINE?

ESPERANZA SOTELO>> BUT IT’S NOT MEDICINE. IT’S CHEMICAL.

GAY YEE>> AND YOU DIDN’T KNOW THAT?

ESPERANZA SOTELO>> NO.

GAY YEE>> AND THE PEOPLE WHO WORK THE FIELDS DON’T KNOW THAT?

ESPERANZA SOTELO>> NO.

VAL>> CALIFORNIA’S FARM WORKERS. THEY’RE THE BACKBONE OF THE STATE’S NUMBER ONE INDUSTRY, BUT WHO REALLY CARES FOR THE PEOPLE WHO HARVEST OUR FOOD? THEIR STORY AND WHY IT AFFECTS YOU, NEXT ON A SPECIAL LIFE AND TIMES.

LIFE AND TIMES TONIGHT IS MADE POSSIBLE BY THE FOLLOWING FOUNDATIONS:

THE L.K. WHITTIER FOUNDATION
DEDICATED TO IMPROVING THE QUALITY OF LIFE BY SUPPORTING INNOVATIVE ENDEAVORS IN THE FIELDS OF MEDICINE, HEALTH, SCIENCE AND EDUCATION.

AND THE CALIFORNIA ENDOWMENT
THE STATE'S LARGEST HEALTH FOUNDATION SUPPORTING ORGANIZATIONS THAT DIRECTLY IMPROVE THE HEALTH AND WELL-BEING OF CALIFORNIA'S DIVERSE COMMUNITIES. THE CALIFORNIA ENDOWMENT, A PARTNER FOR HEALTHIER COMMUNITIES.

VAL>> GOOD EVENING, I’M VAL ZAVALA.

THE NEXT TIME YOU’RE AT THE NEIGHBORHOOD SUPERMARKET, YOU MAY WANT TO REMEMBER SOME OF THE PEOPLE YOU’RE ABOUT TO MEET. THEY’RE THE ONES WHO PICK ALL THAT SHINY FRESH PRODUCE AND IT PROBABLY COMES AS NO SURPRISE THAT THEY’RE NOT THE ONES GETTING RICH FROM IT. IN FACT, MOST CALIFORNIA FARM WORKERS LIVE IN THIRD-WORLD SQUALOR. TONIGHT YOU’RE ABOUT TO SEE WHAT THAT’S LIKE. GAY YEE BEGINS OUR IN-DEPTH LOOK AT A WORLD FEW OF US EVER SEE, EVEN THOUGH IT’S IN OUR OWN BACK YARD.

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GAY YEE>> HERE IN THE VAST RICH FARMLAND IS CALIFORNIA’S BIGGEST BUSINESS, BUT THE STATE’S $27 BILLION DOLLAR AGRICULTURE INDUSTRY COULDN’T FUNCTION WITHOUT THE ESTIMATED ONE MILLION FARM WORKERS WHO SPEND THEIR DAYS STOOPED IN FIELDS TO PUT FOOD ON AMERICA’S TABLE. PHOTOGRAPHER, RICK NAHMIAS, SET OUT TO TELL THEIR STORY IN AN EXHIBIT CALLED “THE MIGRANT PROJECT”. WE ASKED RICK TO COME BACK WITH US TO SOME OF THE COMMUNITIES HE PROFILED.

RICK NAHMIAS>> AFTER LEARNING ABOUT MIGRANTS ABOUT THREE OR FOUR YEARS AGO WHEN I WAS WORKING ON A SCREENPLAY ABOUT EDWARD R. MORROW'S LIFE IN THE LATTER YEARS WHEN HE PRODUCED “HARVEST OF SHAME”, IT WAS KIND OF MY FIRST INTRODUCTION TO MIGRANT FARM WORKERS AND REALLY SHOWED WHAT IT TAKES TO GET WHAT IS THE BEST-FED NATION ON EARTH FOOD ON THEIR TABLE AND IT WAS A REAL EYE-OPENER. I KEPT WONDERING OVER THE YEARS SINCE WORKING ON THAT PROJECT WHERE ARE THESE PEOPLE NOW AND WHAT ARE THEY DOING?

GAY YEE>> SO, RICK, WHERE ARE WE GOING?

RICK NAHMIAS>> WE’RE HEADED DOWN TO THE EASTERN COACHELLA VALLEY, WHICH IS BASICALLY THE OTHER SIDE OF THE TRACKS FROM PALM SPRINGS AND PALM DESERT.

GAY YEE>> OTHER SIDE OF THE TRACKS, BOTH LITERALLY AND FIGURATIVELY, A WORLD NAHMIAS CALLS THE INVISIBLE UNDER-CLASS, PEOPLE WHO SPEND THEIR DAYS BENT IN LABOR UNDER SCORCHING HEAT FOR WAGES THAT RARELY AMOUNT TO MORE THAN $10,000 A YEAR. AND THEY ARE RELEGATED TO NOT ONLY THE LOWEST OF THE LOW IN JOBS, BUT ALSO IN LIVING CONDITIONS. MANY FARM WORKERS LIVE ON INDIAN RESERVATIONS LIKE THIS ONE. BECAUSE IT’S A SOVEREIGN NATION, THE INS DOESN’T COME HERE BOTHERING PEOPLE ABOUT GREEN CARDS, BUT THERE IS A FLIP SIDE TO BEING LEFT ALONE. THERE ARE NO HEALTH CODES AND PEOPLE BASICALLY LIVE IN SQUALOR.

DELIGHT RAMIREZ>> BECAUSE IT IS AN INDIAN RESERVATION, THERE’S NOT EVEN THE INSPECTORS COMING THROUGH HERE OR ANYTHING LIKE THAT. SO LIKE IF YOU BUY AN ITSY-BITSY TRAILER, YOU COULD JUST BUILD TO A BIGGER TRAILER AND THEY WON’T HAVE INSPECTION OR ANYTHING LIKE THAT, YOU KNOW, TO BE AT REGULATIONS OF THE COUNTY, YOU KNOW.

GAY YEE>> SOME OF THE REGULATIONS ARE LIKE HEALTH CODES, THOUGH.

DELIGHT RAMIREZ>> YEAH, HEALTH CODES. THERE’S TRASH THERE. YOU KNOW, HOW HEALTHY CAN THAT BE?

GAY YEE>> IT’S A DOUBLE-EDGED SWORD. ANOTHER TRAILER PARK WAS SUED FOR HAVING AN INADEQUATE SEWAGE SYSTEM. CHILDREN WERE PLAYING IN RAW SEWAGE AND GETTING HEPATITIS. SO DESPITE BEING LOCATED IN THE HEART OF RIVERSIDE COUNTY, THESE RESIDENTIAL PARKS LOOK MORE LIKE THIRD-WORLD COUNTRIES.

DELIGHT RAMIREZ>> LIKE I TELL YOU, IT’S AN INDIAN RESERVATION. NOBODY COULD REALLY SAY ANYTHING. NOBODY COULD REALLY SAY ANYTHING, AND THE PEOPLE DON’T SAY ANYTHING BECAUSE THEY’RE ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS. THEY’RE AFRAID. THEY’RE AFRAID TO SAY ANYTHING.

GAY YEE>> AND BECAUSE THEY ARE TRANSIENT OR UNDOCUMENTED, NAHMIAS SAYS FARM WORKERS ARE OFTEN EXPLOITED AS SOCIETY’S CASTOFFS. THEY WORK IN ONE OF THE NATION’S MOST HAZARDOUS JOBS, SECOND ONLY TO CONSTRUCTION.

RICK NAHMIAS>> WE’RE AT THE HOME OF JOSE GAMEZ, WHO IS A DISABLED FARM WORKER. HE HAD AN ACCIDENT SEVERAL YEARS BACK AND IS NOW DISABLED.

GAY YEE>> JOSE LUIS GAMEZ CAME HERE WHEN HE WAS SEVENTEEN YEARS OLD. HE TRAVELED FROM ARIZONA TO WASHINGTON FOLLOWING THE CROPS. THEN NINETEEN YEARS AGO, WHILE IN THE VINEYARDS, HE HAD AN ACCIDENT.

JOSE LUIS GAMEZ [INTERPRETED]>> THE TRUCK CAME TO PICK UP THE GRAPES. IT WAS THE WORST DAY OF MY LIFE. THAT’S BECAUSE THE BOXES FELL ON TOP OF ME.

GAY YEE>> JOSE SAYS HE WAS TRAPPED UNDER BOXES CARRYING SEVERAL HUNDRED POUNDS OF GRAPES. THEN THE TRUCK BACKED OVER HIS LEG.

JOSE LUIS GAMEZ [INTERPRETED]>> FIRST OF ALL, TWO VERTEBRAE IN MY SPINE WERE HURT AND ALSO MY LEG.

GAY YEE>> JOSE SAYS HE WAS GIVEN A $7,500 SETTLEMENT FROM THE COMPANY. AFTER THE ATTORNEY FEES, HE ACTUALLY TOOK HOME ONLY $5,000, $5,000 TO SUPPORT HIM AND HIS FAMILY FOR THE REST OF HIS LIFE.

RICK NAHMIAS>> IF I HEARD OF ONE SETTLEMENT THAT WAS OVER FIVE FIGURES, I'D TELL YOU RIGHT NOW, BUT THEY'RE IN THE LOW FIVE FIGURES AND, AFTER THAT, YOU TAKE OUT ATTORNEY'S FEES AND YOU TAKE OUT ALL KINDS OF THINGS AND THEY'RE LEFT OFTEN WITH FOUR FIGURES TO LIVE ON FOR LIFE, SO IT'S PRETTY SOBERING. FROM THE WORK I DID, I FOUND IT VERY COMMON. I THINK YOU'LL FIND HIS STORY IS PARTICULARLY -- IT'S JUST NOT UNUSUAL IN WHAT HAPPENED TO HIM AND WHERE HE'S AT NOW AND THE WAY IT CHANGED HIS LIFE AND HIS FAMILY'S LIFE IS SOMETHING I'VE HEARD HALF A DOZEN TIMES IN THE COURSE OF DOING THIS PROJECT.

GAY YEE>> PEOPLE LIKE JOSE SABETTI. AN ACCIDENT AT A GRAPE-PACKING PLANT LEFT HIM DISABLED. HE GOT $8,000 TO LAST HIM A LIFETIME. AND THOSE THAT KEEP WORKING DON'T ALWAYS HAVE MUCH TO SHOW. THIS FARM WORKER HOLDS HIS PAYCHECK, $74.08, HIS NET EARNINGS FOR TWO FULL DAYS WORK. BUT IN ALL HIS PHOTOS, RICK SAYS HE NEVER SENSED HOPELESSNESS FROM HIS SUBJECTS. NOT THEN, NOT NOW.

RICK NAHMIAS>> IT'S REAL INTERESTING TO VISIT THESE PEOPLE AGAIN, YOU KNOW, A FEW MONTHS AFTER I'D BEEN OUT HERE, TO SEE A LOT OF THE SAME FACES AND, UNFORTUNATELY, A LOT OF THE SAME CONDITIONS. BUT ONE THING THAT KEEPS REPEATING IS THE HUMILITY IN THIS COMMUNITY AND THE INTERNAL SENSE OF HOPE THEY KEEP GENERATING SOMEHOW. IT'S STILL THERE.

VAL>> AND JOINING US NOW IS SOMEONE WHO’S VERY FAMILIAR WITH THE PLIGHT OF CALIFORNIA’S FARM WORKERS, DAVID HAYES-BAUTISTA. HE’S THE DIRECTOR OF THE CENTER FOR THE STUDY OF LATINO HEALTH AND DEFINITELY I WOULD SAY ONE OF THE NATION’S PREMIER EXPERTS ON LATINO HEALTH. VERY HAPPY TO HAVE YOU HERE.

DAVID HAYES-BAUTISTA>> THANK YOU. MY PLEASURE.

VAL>> AS YOU WATCHED THIS PIECE, YOU SAW THE POVERTY, YOU SAW THOSE WHO GOT PAID A PITTANCE FOR THEIR INJURIES. DID ANY OF THIS SURPRISE YOU?

DAVID HAYES-BAUTISTA>> NOT AT ALL. IN FACT, I’VE BEEN FAMILIAR WITH FARM WORKER ISSUES SINCE 1960 WHEN I USED TO WORK WITH FARM WORKERS, THE LAST CREWS OF BRACEROS. VERY LITTLE HAS CHANGED, QUITE FRANKLY, OTHER THAN THE FARM WORKER LABOR FORCE BECAME MORE HOMOGENOUS. IT USED TO BE COMPOSED OF POOR WHITES, FILIPINOS, SIKHS AND BRACEROS. NOW IT’S ALMOST PURE LATINO, ALMOST ALL IMMIGRANT, SPANISH-DOMINANT, STILL VERY POOR AND STILL SOME MAJOR HEALTH DIFFERENTIALS.

VAL>> SO NO MAJOR CHANGE. IT SEEMS LIKE EVERY FEW YEARS, YOU KNOW, YOU’LL SEE STORIES LIKE OURS, BUT THEY DON’T HAVE AN IMPACT? WHAT IS KEEPING CHANGE FROM OCCURRING?

DAVID HAYES-BAUTISTA>> WELL, ONE OF THE PROBLEMS IS, WE REALLY DON’T VALUE THIS AS A LABOR FORCE. NOW AGRICULTURE CONTINUES TO BE, YEAR AFTER YEAR, OUR NUMBER ONE INDUSTRY. WE GAIN MORE FROM AGRICULTURE THAN FROM ALL THE MOVIES MADE BY HOLLYWOOD, MORE THAN HIGH-TECH, AND YET THE BASIC LABOR UNDERNEATH THIS DOESN’T GET THE RESPECT NOR THE INCOME THAT PEOPLE IN HIGH-TECH OR IN HOLLYWOOD MAKE.

VAL>> ONE OF THE THINGS THAT REALLY STRUCK ME, AND IT WAS JUST TERRIBLY, TERRIBLY SAD, THIS SMALL AMOUNT OF MONEY THAT THESE FARM WORKERS GET WHEN THEY’RE INJURED AND DISABLED FOR LIFE. WHY IS IT SO SMALL? DO THEY NOT HAVE GOOD LAWYERS? WHAT’S GOING ON THERE?

DAVID HAYES-BAUTISTA>> AGAIN, IT’S PARTIALLY THAT WE DON’T REALLY CARE TO RECOGNIZE THE VALUE OF THIS LABOR. IN FACT, AGRICULTURE LABOR OFTEN IS EXEMPT FROM PARTICIPATION IN A LOT OF PROGRAMS SUCH AS SOCIAL SECURITY, CHILD LABOR LAWS, ETC. THERE HAVE BEEN ATTEMPTS OVER THE PAST THIRTY YEARS EVER SINCE THE DAYS OF CESAR CHAVEZ TO TRY TO GET SOME MODICUM OF OVERSIGHT INTO THE HEALTH CONDITIONS, WAGE CONDITIONS, BENEFITS, BUT THEY TEND TO HAVE TOUCHED ONLY RATHER SMALL SEGMENTS AND STILL WE HAVE NEW GROUPS EVERY YEAR OF FARM LABORERS COMING IN.

VAL>> AND HOW ABOUT THE EFFORTS TO UNIONIZE? THE WHOLE CESAR CHAVEZ MOVEMENT, HE GOT MANY, MANY OF THEM MOVED INTO UNIONS. DOES THAT NOT HAVE AN IMPACT?

DAVID HAYES-BAUTISTA>> THAT HAD AN IMPACT ON THOSE WHO WERE ABLE TO UNIONIZE, BUT THE VAST MAJORITY NEVER WERE UNIONIZED AND NOW OVER TIME WE HAVE NEW PEOPLE COMING IN. FARM LABOR IS A VERY WEARING OCCUPATION ON THE BODY. PEOPLE USUALLY DON’T STAY IN IT FOR FORTY OR FIFTY YEARS, SO THEY’RE CONSTANTLY BEING REPLACED. THEN THESE NEW FOLKS QUITE OFTEN DON’T GET THE BENEFITS OF THESE UNIONIZED JOBS AS THINGS CHANGE VERY QUICKLY IN THESE FIELDS.

VAL>> AND REAL QUICKLY, A LOT OF PEOPLE WOULD SAY, WELL, YOU KNOW, THEY’RE HERE ILLEGALLY. WHAT CAN THEY EXPECT IN TERMS OF CONDITIONS AND RIGHTS?

DAVID HAYES-BAUTISTA>> WELL, IN FACT, MOST OF THEM ARE NOT HERE ILLEGALLY. THEY’RE PRIMARILY IMMIGRANTS, THAT’S FOR SURE, AND YOU PROBABLY HAVE A HIGHER CONCENTRATION OF UNDOCUMENTED THAN IN ANY OTHER LABOR FORCE. BUT WE WOULD ESTIMATE THAT AT LEAST HALF IF NOT MORE OF THOSE WHO ARE HERE AS IMMIGRANTS ARE HERE WITH FULL PAPERS. SO IT’S NOT AN ISSUE OF LEGALITY. I SAW THE SAME THING WHEN THERE WERE BRACEROS WORKING HERE WHO WERE HERE LEGALLY AS GUEST WORKERS IN THE EARLY 1960’S, WHEN THERE WERE FARM WORKERS FROM THE DUST BOWL STILL COMING OUT IN THE 1950’S THAT WERE POOR WHITE, THE OKIES THAT JOHN STEINBECK WROTE ABOUT. THEY’RE STILL VERY POOR. WE JUST HAVEN’T VALUED THAT LABOR FORCE.

VAL>> DAVID HAYES-BAUTISTA, PLEASE STAY WITH US IF YOU WOULD. WE’RE GOING TO MEET SOMEONE WHO’S TRYING TO MAKE A REAL DIFFERENCE FOR THE FARM WORKERS. SHE TRADED A HOME IN BEVERLY HILLS FOR A DUSTY DESERT CLINIC IN THE COACHELLA VALLEY AND, FOR SCORES OF MIGRANT FAMILIES, SHE IS A NURSE, FRIEND AND GUARDIAN ANGEL ALL ROLLED INTO ONE. GAY YEE CONTINUES OUR STORY.

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GAY YEE>> TINY COACHELLA IS IN THE HEART OF THE RICH CALIFORNIA FARM COUNTRY. IN THE WARM SUMMER, IT’S TEEMING WITH FARM WORKERS HAULING IN THE HARVEST, BUT DURING THE COOL WINTER, THE STREETS ARE NEARLY DESERTED. THAT’S NOT THE CASE INSIDE CLINICA CALIFORNIA. THE WAITING ROOM IS ALMOST ALWAYS CROWDED.

RICK NAHMIAS>> THIS IS CLINICA CALIFORNIA. THIS IS A PUBLIC HEALTH CLINIC WHICH BASICALLY CATERS PROMINENTLY TO MIGRANT FARM WORKER FAMILIES.

GAY YEE>> PHOTOJOURNALIST, RICK NAHMIAS, BROUGHT US HERE TO INTRODUCE US TO ROSA LUCAS. SHE’S ONE OF THE PEOPLE HE MET DURING HIS SIX-MONTH INVESTIGATION OF CALIFORNIA FARM LABOR.

RICK NAHMIAS>> ROSA LUCAS IS A NURSE PRACTITIONER WHO STARTED THIS UP OVER TEN YEARS AGO AND IT’S ONE OF THE ONLY PLACES THEY CAN COME TO TO GET TREATED FAIRLY AND GET QUALITY HEALTHCARE AT A PRICE THEY CAN AFFORD.

GAY YEE>> ROSA GREW UP IN BIG-MONEY BEVERLY HILLS, BUT SHE WAS TOUCHED BY CESAR CHAVEZ AND THE FARM LABOR MOVEMENT IN THE 1970’S. SHE’S SPENT THE LAST FIFTEEN YEARS AS A HEALTH PROVIDER SERVING THE POOR IN COACHELLA VALLEY.

ROSA LUCAS>> SOME OF THEM MAY BE UNDOCUMENTED, BUT A LOT OF THEM AREN’T. A LOT OF THEM ARE LEGAL RESIDENTS NOW. A LOT OF THEM HAVE CITIZENSHIP OR ARE WAITING FOR CITIZENSHIP. IT DOESN’T MATTER. IF THEY’RE SICK, IF THEY HAVE TB, IF THEY’VE GOT HEPATITIS, WE NEED TO TAKE CARE OF THEM.

GAY YEE>> MOST OF ROSA’S PATIENTS DON’T HAVE HEALTH INSURANCE AND THE ONES WHO DO OFTEN HAVE IT OFF AND ON.

ROSA LUCAS>> IF YOU WORK, SAY, I DON’T KNOW THE EXACT NUMBER, BUT A CERTAIN NUMBER OF HOURS PER MONTH AND THEN YOU CAN GET INSURANCE FOR THAT MONTH. THEN IF YOU DON’T WORK THE NEXT MONTH, YOU DON’T HAVE INSURANCE FOR THE NEXT MONTH. AND IF YOU’RE MIGRANT, WELL, GOOD LUCK.

GAY YEE>> AND EVEN WITH INSURANCE, THERE’S NO GUARANTEE HER PATIENTS WILL GET ALL THE CARE THEY NEED. ROSA TELLS OF THE TIME SHE REFERRED ONE OF HER INSURED PATIENTS TO A SPECIALIST.

ROSA LUCAS>> I HAD A CALL FROM THE OFFICE AND THEY SAID, “WE DON’T WANT YOU TO SEND YOUR PATIENTS. WE DON’T WANT YOU TO SEND YOUR DIRTY, BROWN PATIENTS TO SIT WITH OUR PATIENTS ANYMORE” AND THAT PRETTY MUCH SUMS IT UP.

GAY YEE>> DESPITE THEIR MASSIVE NUMBERS, THE FARM LABOR POPULATION IS INVISIBLE TO MOST OF US. THESE ARE THE PEOPLE WHO PICK OUR FRUITS AND VEGETABLES AND THEY RANK AMONG THE POOREST OF THE POOR. SOME SAY IT’S INEXCUSABLE THAT WE NOT LEND A HAND TO THE HANDS THAT FEED US.

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GAY YEE>> SIX YEARS AGO, DR. DAVID MORGAN MADE HIS FIRST TRIP WITH A DENTIST TO THE COACHELLA VALLEY. MORGAN IS A MEMBER OF “THE FLYING DOCTORS”, A GROUP FROM NORTHERN CALIFORNIA.

DR. DAVID MORGAN>> I’M A PILOT AND I’M A PHYSICIAN BESIDES, AND FLYING LETS ME GET AWAY TO A POINT WHERE THE NEED IS GREAT.

GAY YEE>> THE DOCTORS, DENTISTS, OPTOMETRISTS AND OTHER PROFESSIONALS ORGANIZED THIS HEALTH FAIR. SIX HUNDRED PEOPLE LINE UP JUST AFTER DAWN FOR A CHANCE TO GET FREE MEDICAL CARE, NO QUESTIONS ASKED.

VALERIE MONTGOMERY>> WE’VE HAD SOME EAR INFECTIONS, SKIN RASHES, HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE, SOMEBODY POSSIBLY MIGHT HAVE GALL BLADDER TROUBLE GOING ON WHICH NEEDS TO BE FOLLOWED UP.

GAY YEE>> FOR MANY, THIS IS THE ONLY CHANCE TO SEE A DOCTOR ALL YEAR. FOR OTHERS, IT’S THE FIRST MEDICAL HELP EVER.

DR. TOM BRENNER>> SHE HAS AN EYE TURN. HER LEFT EYE TURNS OUT COMPARED TO HER RIGHT EYE. IT’S CALLED STRABISMUS.

GAY YEE>> FOR THE DOCTORS, THE EXPERIENCE IS GRATIFYING AND HEARTBREAKING ALL AT THE SAME TIME.

DR. TOM BRENNER>> IT IS. IT’S FRUSTRATING. IT’S A SITUATION WHERE, YOU KNOW, LACK OF TREATMENT ENDS UP RESULTING IN A SITUATION THAT YOU CAN’T REALLY FIX.

GAY YEE>> THE SCENE IN THE DENTAL AREA IS STARTLING.

DR. MARK CARPENTER>> THIS TOOTH HAS BEEN ROTTING FOR MANY YEARS AND THE ROOT HAS RESORBED AND FINALLY SHE CAME IN AND WE TOOK WHAT WAS LEFT OF THE TOOTH OUT AND THEN TRIED TO FEEL IN THERE TO SEE IF THERE WAS ANY ROOT LEFT.

GAY YEE>> THERE ISN’T AN X-RAY MACHINE AND NO TIME TO DO ROOT CANALS, SO THE TEAM USUALLY ENDS UP PULLING TEETH.

DR. MARK CARPENTER>> IT’S VERY TYPICAL TO THIRD-WORLD DENTISTRY. YOU HAVE A HIERARCHY OF NEEDS AND PAIN IS NUMBER ONE. WE NEED TO GET THEM OUT OF PAIN.

GAY YEE>> NOT EVERYONE APPROVES OF THESE SERVICES FOR IMMIGRANTS BECAUSE SOME OF THE WORKERS ARE HERE ILLEGALLY. BUT DR. CARPENTER SAYS PEOPLE FORGET. THEY PERFORM A SERVICE TOO.

DR. MARK CARPENTER>> I’VE COME HERE BEFORE AND WORKED ON THESE PEOPLE AND I’VE HAD PATIENTS SO GRATIFIED THAT THEY’VE BROUGHT FRUIT. IT BRINGS TO MIND THAT THESE PEOPLE ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR US HAVING THE WONDERFUL FRUITS AND VEGETABLES THAT THEY HAVE AND THEY WORK SO HARD TO DO THAT. THEY DESERVE OUR HELP. THEY DESERVE OUR VERY BEST.

GAY YEE>> EXPERTS SAY NO SINGLE GROUP OF WORKERS IN AMERICA FACE GREATER BARRIERS TO BASIC HEALTHCARE THAN FARM WORKERS. SOMETIMES IT’S LACK OF MONEY, OTHER TIMES IT’S IMMIGRATION STATUS. TO ROSA, IT’S A SHAME.

ROSA LUCAS>> THESE ARE THE PEOPLE WHO PUT THE FOOD ON YOUR TABLE, BUT THEN THESE ARE THE PEOPLE WHO SOMETIMES DON’T HAVE ENOUGH TO EAT THEMSELVES. IT’S NOT RIGHT. IT’S NOT HUMAN. IT’S NOT THE WAY WE’RE SUPPOSED TO TREAT EACH OTHER.

VAL>> STAYING HEALTHY CAN BE A MAJOR CHALLENGE FOR FARM WORKERS AND NOT JUST BECAUSE THE JOB IS SO PHYSICALLY DEMANDING. THEY ALSO FACE OCCUPATIONAL HAZARDS THAT MOST OF US WOULD FIND UNACCEPTABLE, SUCH AS BEING EXPOSED TO DEADLY PESTICIDES WITHOUT BEING WARNED OF THE DANGER. GAY YEE CONTINUES OUR STORY WITH A LOOK AT HOW FARM WORKERS OFTEN PUT THEIR LIVES ON THE LINE WITHOUT EVEN KNOWING IT.

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GAY YEE>> YOU'RE LOOKING AT PERHAPS ONE OF THE MOST HAZARDOUS JOBS IN THE NATION. FARM LABORERS STOOP IN SOIL, CLIMB AND CARRY HEAVY LOADS AND SOMETIMES OPERATE EQUIPMENT THAT THEY HAVEN'T BEEN ADEQUATELY TRAINED TO USE. ACCORDING TO ADVOCATES, THE WORK IS SECOND ONLY TO CONSTRUCTION IN THE NUMBER OF INJURIES AND ACCIDENTS.

EMANUEL BENITEZ>> I LOOK FOR FIELD SANITATIONS VIOLATIONS, SAFETY VIOLATIONS....

GAY YEE>> EMANUEL BENITEZ IS ON THE LOOKOUT. HE WAS A MIGRANT FARM WORKER HIMSELF ONCE. LIKE SO MANY OTHERS, HE SPENT YEARS FOLLOWING THE HARVEST UP AND DOWN CALIFORNIA. TODAY EMANUEL IS A COMMUNITY OUTREACH WORKER FOR A GROUP CALLED CALIFORNIA RURAL LEGAL ASSISTANCE. WE MET HIM THROUGH PHOTOGRAPHER, RICK NAHMIAS, AS WE VISIT SOME OF THE PEOPLE AND PLACES PROFILED IN HIS PHOTO EXHIBIT ON FARM LABOR CALLED "THE MIGRANT PROJECT".

RICK NAHMIAS>> WELL, THE FACT THAT MOST PEOPLE THINK FARM WORK HAS THIS ROMANTIC GET UP AT DAWN WITH THE CHICKENS AND GO OUT AND, YOU KNOW, PICK THIS OR THAT AND GO HOME. BUT WHEN YOU'RE DEALING WITH TONS AND TONS OF PRODUCE THAT HAS TO BE PACKED AND MOVED AND SHIPPED AND BOXED AND CRATED, ALL KINDS OF THINGS ARE HAPPENING.

GAY YEE>> EMANUEL USES A CAMERA TOO. HE ACTS AS A WATCHDOG, MAKING SURE WORKERS HAVE SIMPLE NECESSITIES, PORTABLE TOILETS, SAFE DRINKING WATER. HE SAYS HE'S SEEN WHAT PEOPLE RESORT TO WHEN THESE THINGS AREN'T AVAILABLE.

EMANUEL BENITEZ>> BECAUSE THERE WAS NO WATER, THEY WERE USING THE STEMS FROM THE SQUASH IN ORDER TO START DRINKING FROM THE FOUNTAIN THAT THE WATER WAS IN THESE BIG PIPES. SO BY DOING THAT, YOU DON'T KNOW IF THAT WATER HAS PESTICIDES.

GAY YEE>> BUT AS WE SOON SEE, EMANUEL OFTEN ISN'T WELL-RECEIVED WHEN GROWERS AND LABOR CONTRACTORS SPOT HIM.

>> WHY DON'T YOU GET OFF THE LAND? GET OFF THE LAND RIGHT NOW.

GAY YEE>> IT'S REALLY CAL OSHA'S JOB TO PROTECT THE WORKFORCE, BUT THE AGENCY HAS ONLY 250 INSPECTORS, NOT ONE DEVOTED TO AGRICULTURE. IT RELIES ON COMPLAINTS AND EMANUEL SAYS MOST FARM WORKERS ARE TOO AFRAID TO GO TO AUTHORITIES. INSTEAD, THEY COME TO HIM.

EMANUEL BENITEZ>> WE HEAR FROM WORKERS THAT THEY'RE WORKING IN SIXTY-FOOT TALL PALM TREES WITHOUT ANY SAFETY PROTECTION AT ALL, THEY'RE WORKING UNDER A HUNDRED-PLUS DEGREES WITHOUT WATER, WITHOUT TOILETS.

GAY YEE>> THERE IS PLENTY OF DIRT FOR GROWING HERE IN THE COACHELLA VALLEY. UNFORTUNATELY, MANY OF ITS FARM LABORERS ALSO HAPPEN TO BE DIRT POOR. IT MAY COME AS A SURPRISE IF YOU THINK ABOUT IT, SINCE CALIFORNIA ALSO HAPPENS TO BE THE RICHEST AGRICULTURAL STATE IN THE NATION. YET THE HEALTH AND LIFESTYLES OF MANY MIGRANT FARM WORKERS RESEMBLE THOSE FOUND IN THIRD-WORLD COUNTRIES. HOUSING IS OFTEN SUBSTANDARD OR NONEXISTENT. FARM WORKERS ARE FOUND CAMPED OUT IN THE WOODS OR UNDER HIGHWAY OVERPASSES.

AND IN THE FIELDS, THEIR WORK CONSTANTLY EXPOSES THEM TO PESTICIDES AND CHEMICAL FERTILIZERS. THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY SAYS 300,000 FARM WORKERS SUFFER ACUTE PESTICIDE POISONING EVERY YEAR. ESPERANZA SOTELO IS A MEMBER OF LIDERES CAMPESINAS, AN ADVOCACY GROUP MADE UP OF FARM WORKER WOMEN. SHE WAS A FARM LABORER TOO, BUT NOW SHE TEACHES WORKERS HOW TO PROTECT THEMSELVES.

ESPERANZA SOTELO [INTERPRETED]>> THE PERSON WHO IS SPRAYING IS SPRAYING THE PLANTS ONLY, BUT THE PESTICIDES ARE CARRIED IN THE AIR AND WHO LIVES NEXT TO ALL OF THIS IN THE RANCHES? WE DO. YOU'RE RIGHT.

GAY YEE>> ESPERANZA SAYS MANY FARM WORKERS HAVE NO IDEA WHAT THEY'RE EXPOSED TO ON AN ALMOST DAILY BASIS. SHE SAYS MANY WORKERS ARE TOLD PESTICIDES ARE LIKE MEDICINE PUT ON THE CROPS TO MAKE THE PLANTS HEALTHY AND STRONG.

ESPERANZA SOTELO>> BUT IT IS NOT MEDICINE. IT'S CHEMICAL.

GAY YEE>> AND YOU DIDN'T KNOW THAT?

ESPERANZA SOTELO>> NO.

GAY YEE>> AND THE PEOPLE WHO WORK THE FIELDS DON'T KNOW THAT?

ESPERANZA SOTELO>> NO.

GAY YEE>> BUT THERE ARE SOME WHO SAY IT'S HARD TO SYMPATHIZE WITH FARM WORKERS WHO MAY HAVE COME INTO THIS COUNTRY ILLEGALLY. CRITICS SAY, IF CONDITIONS ARE THAT BAD, THE WORKERS SHOULD LEAVE. IF THAT HAPPENS, GROWERS SAY CALIFORNIA'S $27 BILLION DOLLAR FARM INDUSTRY COULD BE DEVASTATED.

TOM STEINBECK>> MY FATHER SAID WHEN YOU CEASE CARING FOR THOSE PEOPLE WHO BEND OVER AND PICK UP YOUR FOOD, YOU'RE CULTURALLY IN DEEP TROUBLE.

GAY YEE>> TOM STEINBECK'S FATHER, JOHN, WROTE "THE GRAPES OF WRATH" MORE THAN SIXTY YEARS AGO. IT TOLD OF THE PLIGHT AND POVERTY OF FARM WORKERS.

HENRY FONDA>> "WHEREVER THERE'S A FIGHT SO HUNGRY PEOPLE CAN EAT, I'LL BE THERE."

GAY YEE>> PHOTOGRAPHER, RICK NAHMIAS, SAYS THERE ARE STRIKING SIMILARITIES BETWEEN THE PHOTOS TAKEN OF FARM WORKERS IN THE 1930'S AND HIS PHOTOS IN "THE MIGRANT PROJECT" DECADES LATER. HE SAYS THE LANGUAGE AND THE SKIN COLOR HAVE CHANGED, BUT NOT THE HUMAN COST OF PUTTING FOOD ON AMERICA'S TABLE.

VAL>> WE’RE JOINED ONCE AGAIN BY DAVID HAYES-BAUTISTA, DIRECTOR OF THE CENTER FOR THE STUDY OF LATINO HEALTH, AND BY GAY YEE, WHO’S BEEN OUT IN THE FIELDS ON THIS STORY.

GAY YEE>> WELL, I WANTED TO ASK A FEW QUESTIONS OF DAVID. FIRST OF ALL, ONE OF THE THINGS THAT WAS DIFFICULT TO ACTUALLY COVER IN THE STORY WAS HOW DOES THIS POPULATION REALLY COMPARE TO THE GENERAL POPULATION? ARE THEY TRULY SICKER?

DAVID HAYES-BAUTISTA>> WELL, IN HEALTHCARE TERMS, YES. IN FACT, BECAUSE OF THIS CRAZY LATINO EPIDEMIOLOGICAL PARADOX, WE COULDN’T COMPARE FARM WORKERS TO NON-FARM WORKERS IN THE AREAS. WE COMPARED LATINO FARM WORKERS TO URBAN LATINOS AND WE NOTICED FARM WORKING LATINOS HAVE FAR HIGHER POSSIBILITIES OF DEATH DUE TO AUTOMOBILE ACCIDENTS, UNINTENTIONAL INJURIES, LUNG DISEASE, PNEUMONIA, DIABETES, HEART, ETC. AND VERY SIGNIFICANTLY HIGHER. CLEARLY, THERE IS A HEALTH DIFFERENTIAL AMONGST THIS POPULATION.

GAY YEE>> WHAT’S VERY SURPRISING IS WHEN YOU MEET THESE PEOPLE, THEY’RE SO YOUNG. THEY’RE IN THE PRIME OF THEIR LIVES, IN THEIR THIRTIES, TWENTIES, OFTENTIMES. IS IT A SURPRISE TO SEE THESE KIND OF AILMENTS IN THIS AGE GROUP?

DAVID HAYES-BAUTISTA>> THESE ARE AILMENTS OF A FAR OLDER POPULATION, BUT WORKING UNDER THESE CONDITIONS HAS LITERALLY AGED THEM FAR BEYOND THEIR CHRONOLOGICAL BIRTH DATES.

GAY YEE>> AND ONE THING I ABSOLUTELY HAD TO ASK YOU ABOUT IS THIS BELIEF THAT THE PESTICIDES WERE LIKE MEDICINE FOR THE PLANTS. DID YOU HEAR THAT TOO?

DAVID HAYES-BAUTISTA>> WE’VE HEARD THIS OVER AND OVER AND OVER AGAIN IN OUR WORK THAT THESE ARE THINGS LIKE MEDICINE FOR THE PLANTS. THEY DON’T STOP TO THINK OF THE NEXT STEP. WHAT DOES IT DO FOR THEM? THAT’S WHY WE NEED TO CREATE THIS PESTICIDE LITERACY SO THEY CAN MAKE BETTER DECISIONS ABOUT WORKING WITH THESE CHEMICALS.

VAL>> GAY YEE AND DAVID HAYES-BAUTISTA, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR WORK. GAY, ESPECIALLY IN THIS EXCELLENT, EXCELLENT SERIES. THANKS.

AND FOR MORE ON THE FARM WORKERS’ STORY, WE INVITE YOU TO CHECK OUT OUR WEBSITE. JUST GO TO KCET.ORG AND LOOK FOR THE FARM WORKERS’ SPECIAL. NOW FOR ALL OF US HERE AT LIFE AND TIMES, THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR WATCHING AND GOOD NIGHT.

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