Migrant Law Enforcement

Overview

The primary functions of the Migrant Law Enforcement Section are as follows:

Inspection and Certification of All Migrant Camps in the State

Bureau of Program Management and Special Populations (BPMSP) staff is assigned a specific geographic area in which pre-occupancy inspections are performed. Each migrant camp must meet specific standards in order to qualify for certification. Certification is issued only after a determination has been made by a BPSSP inspector that a migrant camp has met all standards required by state law.

Work Agreement Reviews

BPMSP is responsible for ensuring that migrant workers are provided with a Work Agreement at the time of recruitment or prior to the commencement of employment, whichever is earlier. Each inspector will visit all of the migrant camps assigned to them to determine whether a migrant worker has been provided with a Work Agreement. It is the responsibility of each inspector to explain to the migrant worker all aspects of that agreement and to assure that the employer who provides the agreement, complies with all the terms and conditions of employment as outlined in that agreement and as required by law.

Crew Leader

BPMSP is responsible to monitor and register all known crew leaders in the state. Crew leaders who recruit migrant workers to work in the State of Wisconsin must comply with specific regulations and must obtain a certificate from the department to operate in this state. Crew leaders are monitored regularly to insure compliance with the state laws.

Field Sanitation

Effective January 1, 1986, employers who hire 6 or more migrant workers who are engaged in hand labor must provide sanitation facilities to their workers. BPSSP is responsible for the inspection of "field sanitation" facilities and assure that those facilities are provided, kept clean and in sanitary condition.

Complaint Investigation

The BPMSP is responsible for the investigation of all complaints of apparent violations of the migrant law. Any person may file a complaint with the Bureau and the complaint will be investigated. Unresolved complaints may be referred to the Attorney Generals office for prosecution.