Farmworkers in Ventura County can now access resources in four languages at a permanent service window at the Consulate of Mexico in Oxnard.
Talia Barrera, the manager for the County of Ventura's Farmworker Resource Program, says it's an important step in supporting the county's agricultural workers.
"Our county's agricultural industry is at the top of the list when it comes to the economy in the county," Barrera told KCLU.
"We couldn't have a better program to support our agricultural workers and growers in our region," she said.
She continued, "It means that they have a safe place and they feel protected. We provide resources and information.
"At the top of our goals is providing them information about the labor laws that protect them."
The collaboration named VAIPOIME is an acronym in Spanish which translates to “Integral Service Window for Origin and Indigenous Peoples of Mexico Abroad”.
The main purpose of the new service window is to serve farmworkers of indigenous origins, providing information, resources, and services available to the community including information on the labor laws that protect them, seeking resolutions to workplace issues, and offering information about services provided by the Mexican government to their communities abroad.
Services will be provided in English, Spanish, Mixteco and Zapoteco. This is only the third VAIPOIME in the nation and the first in collaboration with a government agency.