SAN FRANCISCO (KCBS RADIO) – An investigation has revealed neither of the farms where the mass shooting took place in Half Moon Bay had permits for farmworker housing.
The oversight of these conditions has been virtually nonexistent in San Mateo County.
Neither Concord Farms nor California Terra Garden where seven people were shot and killed last month had permits.
Many of the workers on site had no running water or a kitchen of any kind at either operation.
"In Half Moon Bay, that's not the worst," said Darlene Tenes, the founder of Farmworker Caravan, an organization that advocates for farmworkers. "They were actually living decently compared to other people."
Typically San Mateo County will act if a complaint has been filed, but the risk of filing a complaint could be losing your job.
Many employed at Half Moon Bay farms are working under H-2A visas, visas issued specifically for temporary farm work. If they complain, they risk more than losing their jobs.
According to Tenes, the big question at the end of the day is who is approving this. “Who's the one going around saying, 'Okay, this is approved housing, this is approved housing,'" she said.
"They're just ignoring it," said Tenes.
A spokesperson for San Mateo County told KCBS Radio that they are not ignoring it, and that there are no housing permits on file for either farm and no complaints filed.
Follow KNX News 97.1 FM
Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | TikTok
Related
Related
