The reason is simple: an increase in immigration enforcement, including high-profile ICE raids, shook Texas farm workers to their core. The news filtered fast that workers—regardless of legal status—chose safety over a salary.

Farmers, who had been working with their crews for decades, described the loss as “devastating” and “unprecedented.” This is alarming as most farms are founded upon immigrant labor, both legal and illegal, creating a domino effect for the food system as a whole.

. . . When farm workers vanish, the effects are felt far beyond the fields. Livestock is untended, crops go unpicked, food production declines, and food prices dramatically increase. In Texas alone, where specialty vegetables and fruits must be hand-picked, worker shortages jeopardize entire harvest seasons.

This results in fewer foods on grocery store shelves, higher prices for families nationwide, and a greater reliance on imports. Threads on Reddit and YouTube are already predicting price hikes and empty produce shelves.

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[–] HuskerNation@lemmy.zip 28 points 3 weeks ago (4 children)

Farmers will never learn, those people are the only ones willing to do the work. White kids have been raised that that work is beneath them

[–] Alexstarfire@lemmy.world 41 points 3 weeks ago (1 children)

It isn't beneath me. I just don't think I could physically do it as a job. Also, the pay is bad. So, it's pretty low on my job list. I'd rather work a fast food job. And I never want to work one again.

[+] SendMePhotos@lemmy.world -15 points 3 weeks ago (2 children)

Not good lay plus that job sucks, it's beneath you.

[–] Alexstarfire@lemmy.world 21 points 3 weeks ago (1 children)

I feel like the not being able to physically do it matters a bit more, but maybe you're right. I don't look down on people that do those jobs, because it's something that needs to get done, just like teachers, but they aren't jobs I'd recommend for anyone.

[+] Maeve@kbin.earth -30 points 3 weeks ago (2 children)

I feel like the not being able to physically do it matters a bit more,

This is what slavers said, too.

[–] Alexstarfire@lemmy.world 35 points 3 weeks ago

Sorry, my mouth is already full from what I actually said.

[–] pivot_root@lemmy.world 16 points 3 weeks ago* (last edited 3 weeks ago) (1 children)

Isn't it kind of ableist to assume that when somebody says they are "not able to physically do" a job, that they're lazy or classist? For all we know, they could have mobility issues or be unable to do sustained manual labor.

[–] SabinStargem@lemmy.today 3 points 3 weeks ago

I assume that if I tried my hand at farming, the bosses won't let me take enough water or breaks to maintain my health. Farm work is backbreaking, everyone should be given enough pay, healthcare, and rest to ensure their wellbeing. Unfortunately, dickheads think that fair work standards are not important.

It is time for Texas and company to learn that their stupidity has consequences.

[–] Duamerthrax@lemmy.world 2 points 3 weeks ago

Every job deserves a living wage and the government should be providing healthcare. Agriculture needing to be substituted by undocumented workers is a sign of deeper issues with the economic system.

[–] Yawweee877h444@lemmy.world 27 points 3 weeks ago

That yes, but also more.

One positive aspect of social media is showing the young how the world really works, to an extent I think.

Poor immigrants are generally in a more uninformed and desperate survival situation. Many probably aren't of the mindset "fuck slaving away 14hrs a day for shit pay to make a billionaire richer". They just generally don't think that way yet.

I personally would rather die than be forced to work in those conditions. I sympathize with them and wish they didn't have to either. But they're still currently the ones more desperate and willing to suffer.

I would be willing to help with farm work however, if the pay was significantly better, 4-6hrs per day, 2-3 days per week. But normalizing this would necessitate eradicating billionaires and even hundred millionaires. Obviously not gonna happen.

I'm just sayin' it's more than just white kids are lazy. At least I hope so.

[–] aramis87@fedia.io 25 points 3 weeks ago (1 children)

Disagree. There are plenty of people who would do the work, they're just not willing to do it for the amount farmers are willing to pay.

Also, you'd have to be insane to do outside work in both Florida and Texas, now that both states have got rid of mandated water breaks for outdoor workers.

[–] AA5B@lemmy.world 10 points 3 weeks ago

Not to mention going there. Except for people desperate for work, who in their right mind would travel to magastan out in the country m, to shave away with no water or bathroom breaks, in the hot sun all day without even water for minimum wage? There are just so many reasons for an immediate no

[–] flandish@lemmy.world 19 points 3 weeks ago

Nice try, racist. Stop splitting the working class up like that. Labor should be paid a living wage and any corp what cannot do that should fail. Race of the worker is irrelevant.

Capitalists have you convinced it is different between races but only because that distraction keeps capitalists exploiting the working class folk.

Ain’t no war but class war.