Important Events Affecting Immigrant Workers
- 1994: North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) approved by Congress
Helped accelerate migration from Mexico to U. S.
https://www.klcc.org/economy-business/2013-12-02/20-years-later-naftas-dramatic-impact-on-oregon
- 2000: AFL-CIO Endorses Amnesty for Undocumented Immigrants
Historic resolution reverses longstanding labor policy to support immigrant worker rights and union organization
https://aflcio.org/resolution/nation-immigrants
- 2000: VOZ Worker Rights Education Project established
New organization created to promote rights and interests of day laborers in the Portland area
https://portlandvoz.org/who-we-are/our-mission
- 2003: Immigrant Workers Freedom Ride occurs
Inspired by Freedom Rides of civil rights movement, immigrants and their allies take nationwide bus ride to lobby for legal status for undocumented workers
https://www.nytimes.com/2003/09/17/us/riding-across-america-for-immigrant-workers.html
- 2004: Career Pathways program launched in Oregon
New program begins at five Oregon community colleges that connects education and training to boost career opportunities in high demand industries and occupations
https://www.oregon.gov/highered/institutions-programs/ccwd/Pages/career-pathways.aspx
- 2007: Career Pathways program expands Program extended to all of Oregon’s community colleges
https://www.mhcc.edu/careerpathways/
- 2008: Martin Luther King, Jr. Workers Center established by Voz
With support from city of Portland, Voz creates worker center that was first of its kind in Oregon
https://portlandvoz.org/hire-a-worker/how-it-works
- 2020: Oregon Workers Relief Fund created
Public-private collaboration provides direct financial assistance to immigrant workers
- 2021: Office of Immigrant and Refugee Advancement created by Oregon legislature
New office created to promote immigrant and refugee advancement and integration
- 2022: Overtime payments for farm workers approved by Oregon legislature
Oregon becomes eighth state to approve overtime payments for farm workers