Overview

The Migrant and Seasonal Agricultural Worker Protection Act (MSPA) protects migrant and seasonal agricultural workers by establishing employment standards related to wages, housing, transportation, disclosures and recordkeeping. The MSPA also requires farm labor contractors to register with the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL). For more general information on the MSPA, please see the Employment Law Guide or Fact Sheet 49.

Note: As of March 29, 2021, the Farm Labor Contractor and Farm Labor Contractor Employee Certificates of Registration have a new look. Learn more here: (PDF) (Spanish)

Farm Labor Contractor Registration

In order to legally operate as farm labor contractors, individuals and companies must register with the U.S. Department of Labor. There are special registration requirements for farm labor contractors that intend to house, transport, or drive a migrant or seasonal agricultural worker. Application instructions and reference materials can be found online.

MSPA Registered Farm Labor Contractor Listing

This list contains the name and physical address of all current certificate holders, as well as the expiration date and the certificate number generated by the Wage and Hour Division. The list also indicates if the contractor has been authorized to house workers, to use vehicles to transport workers, or to drive such vehicles.

MSPA Registered Farm Labor Contractor Listing

MSPA Registered Farm Labor Contractor Employee Listing

The list contains the name of all current certificate holders and the farm labor contractor whose name appears on each employee’s certificate, as well as the start date, expiration date, and the certificate number generated by the Wage and Hour Division. The list also indicates if the farm labor contractor employee has been authorized to drive vehicles used to transport migrant or seasonal agricultural workers.

MSPA Registered Farm Labor Contractor Employee Listing

General Guidance

Fact Sheets

Interpretive Guidance

Posters

Forms

Applicable Laws and Regulations



 

Civil Money Penalty Inflation Adjustments

Starting in 2016, agencies across the federal government must adjust their penalties for inflation each year. Below is a table that reflects the adjustments that have occurred for penalties under this statute. For more information on the penalty adjustments, go here.

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Type of ViolationStatutory CitationCFR CitationMaximum Civil Monetary Penalty on or before 1/15/2024Maximum Civil Monetary Penalty on or after 1/16/2024
A violation of the Act or any regulation under the Act.29 USC 1853(a)(1)29 CFR 500.1(e)$2,951$3,047