Northern Mexico farmworkers reach agreement for better wages, working conditions

MEXICO CITY – Mexican farmworkers fighting low wages and poor working conditions in the border state of Baja California have reached an agreement with the government and their employer.

The Mexican interior ministry says daily wages will go from 100 to 200 pesos ($13 a day). Workers will be added to the social security system and will be allowed to unionize.

The measures were among 13 agreements announced late Thursday by the interior department.

The farmworkers have been striking for months against what they called exploitation and bad health and housing conditions. Much of the produce they pick goes to the U.S.

Fidel Sanchez, leader of the laborers of the San Quintin Valley, told a Baja California radio station that the workers are satisfied. The pay increase is set to begin May. 24.