Appendix H.2

What is NAWS?

z

NAWS is a study of hired farm workers (including
nursery workers) in the United States. JBS
International is contracted by the United States
Department of Labor (US DOL) to conduct NAWS.

z

NAWS is the only nationwide information source that
describes the characteristics and employment profiles
of hired farm workers, and trends in the hired farm
labor market.

z

NAWS began in 1988. Since then, over 30,000 workers
have been interviewed.

z

NAWS is strictly confidential. Names and addresses of
participants are guaranteed to be kept private by the
Privacy Act of 1974 and will not be divulged in any
way.

z

Farm workers are reimbursed for participating in the
study.

©200—www.farmphoto.com

What information does NAWS collect?

z

z

z

About farm workers: The study solicits from each
interviewed worker his/her English language
proficiency, yearly income, use of social services, and
access to health care.
About farm workers’ employment history: NAWS asks
the worker to describe his/her work history for the year
prior to the interview.
About farm workers’ households: The study obtains
information on the number of family members, their
level of education, and how often they move.

Why agricultural employers participate in the study?

z

Agricultural employers and grower organizations utilize NAWS data to stay informed about important evolving trends in the make-up of the hired farm workforce.

z

Providers of housing, health, education, and
employment training services utilize NAWS data to
both identify farm workers' needs and to target their
program resources.