Impact of Extension of Coverage to Agricultural Workers Under PL 94-566, Their Characteristics and Economic Welfare

摘要

The impact of the agricultural coverage provisions contained in the 'Unemployment Compensation Amendments of 1976' is investigated, based on a fifteen State surveyed sample of farm employers and their workers conducted in 1971. Coverage, demographic, employment and migratory characteristics of covered workers and their economic welfare are analyzed. The author's major conclusions: about half of all hired farm workers are covered by the law, over four out of five covered workers are insured, somewhat less than one out of three insured workers become beneficiaries, and nearly one out of four beneficiaries exhausts benefit entitlement. Major labor force participation status is analyzed, leading to findings that surveyed workers reported an average of 42 weeks of employment with 2/3 of that employment occurring in nonfarm work. Unemployment and out of the labor force experience is presented in considerable detail for various groups including age, race/ethnic, sex, industry, and occupational groups. Financial aspects show that average annual earnings amount to $3,613. Workers who are in the labor force all year earn twice as much as others. Actual benefits amount to 14 percent of earnings and about 1/3 of potential benefits.