Farm Workers Bill Signed By Governor

Just today and tomorrow remain for Governor Gray Davis to sign or veto bills approved by the California Legislature. Today Davis approved a measure to give Mexican farm workers brought to the United States during World War Two more time to file legal action for withheld payments. More than 300-thousand Mexican farm workers were contracted by the US Government to relieve the labor shortage during the 1940s. The labor agreement between the US and Mexico required a portion of their wages be withheld as a savings fund, to be paid upon their return to Mexico. But many never received the withheld money. Experts have estimated that the un-recovered ten percent of wages withheld between 1942 and 1950 could now add up to one billion dollars including interest. Davis also signed another bill to help develop housing for agricultural workers.