Monsanto’s Latin America North team held a complete review of the temporary seasonal workers program in Mexico, focusing on how to reduce costs and improve conditions for seasonal workers.

A key factor in selecting new labor agencies was ensuring that they understood and supported Monsanto’s Pledge to create a great place to work and to respect its people. To inform their decision, the team spent several weeks in remote locations, conducting interviews with farmers, vendors, local authorities, and field workers.

The team made medical evaluations available to workers and contracted with vendors to provide purified water to the workers daily at the point of departure. This provided an immediate benefit for the workers, who until then had no preventive medical care and typically brought water from home or drew unsanitary water from irrigated fields.

This project significantly improved the working conditions for temporary workers. More than 480 medical checkups, 536 dental evaluations, and 1,200 vaccinations were provided to seasonal workers. Monthly seasonal worker absence fell from 22 percent to 15 percent. The number of common diseases found among workers fell from 45 to less than five. These improvements also benefit the community, as workers now return to their families in better health than they did before.