Statement of public policy; findings

§ 670. Statement of public policy; findings. The legislature of the state of New York declares that it is the public policy of the state and the purpose of this act that minimum wage standards shall apply to farm workers, so as to eliminate as rapidly as practicable the employment of farm workers at wages insufficient to provide adequate maintenance and protection of health, without substantially curtailing opportunities for employment or earning power.

The legislature hereby finds that the establishment of minimum wage standards for farm laborers involves distinct and unusual problems; that the agricultural labor force is made up of regular all-year workers as well as short-term seasonal workers; that although some workers are paid on an hourly basis, many are paid on a piecework, weekly, monthly, or other basis; and that the agricultural industry is particularly affected by weather and market conditions and by perishability of products. Accordingly, the legislature further declares that it is the purpose of this act to provide a flexible approach with full consideration of the unusual problems involved.