Mano en Mano at the Statehouse

This spring, the Mano en Mano team visited the Maine Statehouse in Augusta to give testimony in support of bills that would positively impact immigrants and farmworkers in Maine.

Advocating for Justice

Mano en Mano staff visit the statehouse in Augusta to provide testimony on LD-199, to extend MaineCare to everyone regardless of immigration status

Executive Director of Mano en Mano Juana Rodriguez Vazquez testified in support of LD-199, a bill designed to extend everyone in MaineCare regardless of immigration status.  In her testimony she shared about her personal experience supporting community members that do not have MaineCare and the barriers this creates in their lives.  In her testimony she shared, 

“Migrant farmworkers are an essential part of what makes our economy strong, and communities vibrant- yet they are not afforded the basic right to healthcare.  This is a problem for obvious reasons; it is a matter of survival. It is also significant, too, for our state as a whole, because it prevents us from realizing our shared prosperity and humanity.  Passing LD 199 would mean that:

-Families won't have to choose between accessing medical care, and buying food
-People in an emergency situation, don't have to decide whether or not they can afford life saving services
-Immigration status won’t be a barrier for folks needing medical care

Importantly, passing this bill would help migrant seasonal workers and families to feel more welcome, and thrive in Maine.”

Another set of bills being presented in Augusta are LD 525, LD 398 and LD 1483.  These three bills support the farmworker community in various ways.  LD398 would phase in overtime and wage laws for farm workers to receive time and a half pay while LD 525 would give farmworkers the right to organize and join a union in order to negotiate: fair wages, reasonable schedules, safe working conditions, humane housing accommodations, and remove threats of employer intimidation.  LD 1483 provides that an agricultural employer may not interfere with reasonable access to a key service provider (medical, legal, etc) by agricultural employees during work time. It also specifies that only the agricultural employee may prohibit or bar individuals from the employee's residence.

Mano en Mano staff worked alongside community members to share their perspectives on how these bills could impact their lives.  Community Health Advocate, Cynthia Simpson shared testimonies provided by community members.  The stories shared are listed below:

“We came to the states from Guatemala for a better life a few years ago. I came first then my wife, I work on a dairy farm now in Maine. We have had our struggles but thankfully we have made it through.

An increase in pay through receiving overtime would change my life dramatically. There would be more help for me and my family to continue living here in Maine. It would mean a better life for all, and  we would have more rights.”

-Francisco, Central Maine

“My name is Sonia, and my family immigrated in 2019 from Guatemala. We came because there was a lot of insecurities  in my homeland.  I like spending time with my family and children, and I currently work in the fishing industry.  My dream for the future is to find a  job where I would have a steady income.  Not receiving overtime pay negatively affects us.  It makes it hard for us to make rent.  I think if we were able to have these rights things would be better and we could create a better life for me and my family.”

- Sonia, Downeast Maine

Mano en Mano will continue to advocate for legislation that supports community members to thrive in Maine. 

If you are interested in supporting the passage of the bills listed above, please give your representative a call!  Visit the Maine House of Representatives for more information. 

Additionally, you can send a message directly to your legislators in support of LD199 at this link:: bit.ly/LD199allmeansall

To support Mano en Manos advocacy work, please donate today!