CIERTO, an ECIP Marketplace Service Provider, is a leading recruitment and consulting company working to bring the most well-trained and efficient H2A workers to the agriculture industry.
Joe Martinez, CEO of CIERTO, spoke with the ECIP team about the importance of integrating a well-trained workforce into the agriculture industry. In the conversation, Joe highlights how CIERTO’s approach aligns with the Ethical Charter on Responsible Labor Practices and how the organization supports growers using ECIP who want to strengthen their social responsibility efforts and elevate their ethical recruitment practices.
A key part of CIERTO’s philosophy is ensuring that workers arrive prepared to the farm, not just to complete tasks, but to contribute meaningfully to quality, food safety and productivity. CIERTO trains workers before they reach the farm, helping them understand their contracts, their rights and the skills needed to work safely and effectively. “We train workers on who they’re going to be working for, what the contract is and what the employer expects,” said Joe.
Workers also receive training on communications, conflict resolution, and what CIERTO calls “life planning,” helping workers use their earnings to pursue long-term goals back home. “We provide training on soft skills like listening, communication and conflict resolution. Our life-plan training helps them understand how these jobs support their long-term goals.” Joe continued.
This investment, Joe says, pays off for farms in the form of a more stable, skilled and engaged workforce. “When workers arrive knowing what to expect, what their rights are, and how to communicate, they’re ready to contribute from day one. That preparation helps them succeed, and it helps the farm succeed.”
From CIERTO’s experience, growers that adopt a recruitment and worker-voice processes see:
- A more stable workforce with higher return rates
- Fewer critical issues surfacing late in the season
- Better alignment with retailer expectations
- Greater operational resilience when pressure arise
- Stronger trust from retail buyers
Although much of CIERTO’s work centers on responsible recruitment, one of the Ethical Charter’s 13 foundational principles, their work expands into other principles. By ensuring workers arrive informed, respected, and able to exercise their rights, CIERTO’s model reinforces other Ethical Charter principles including:
- Employment is freely chosen
- Freedom of association
- Humane treatment and non-harassment
- Legal compliance
- Occupational safety and health
- Professional conduct and respect