A group representing farmworkers in the Mexican state of Baja California has hailed a recent labor deal as "extremely important", involving a minimum salary agreement of MXN200 (US$13.32) per day and the granting of official union status.

National Alliance of Organizations for Social Justice in the San Quintin Valley spokesperson Fidel Sanchez told www.freshfruitportal.com the deal was reached yesterday with federal and state authorities.

"Perhaps we haven't achieved everything we wanted, however for us it is extremely important that we have immediate affiliation of the workers in the fields with the Mexican Institute of Social Security - in this way, farmworkers will be attended to," Sanchez said.

"But the central agreement for us was worker salaries, an issue that was put on the table on March 17 at MXN200 per day - in this meeting, we agreed with the Federal Government as well as senators from the Republic, that they would work precisely so that Baja California growers would get as close as possible to that MXN200 and there would be support if anything is lacking."

Prior to the March 17 proposal the alliance was pushing for MXN300 (US$19.98) per day, but Sanchez said the amount was lowered due to a "will to keep contributing to the state, so that there continues to be jobs for farmworkers".

The LA Times reported the deal would not be finalized until June 4, with some key negotiations remaining. A representative of Driscoll's supplier BerryMex told the publication a "mutual resolution" had not yet been reached between all parties involved.

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