To put this issue in perspective. the history of the FLCRA plays a great role. When FLCRA became effective on January 11. 1965. it was almost ignored. The original law was designed to eliminate the exploitation of migrant workers. agricultural producers and the public by irresponsible labor contractors. commonly called crew leaders. It did not do so. largely because of its deficiencies in enforcement provisions. Usually. violations of FLCRA were discovered only when the Department of Labor was investigating other laws. such as the Fair Labor Standards Act. In 1974. the Subcommittee on Agricultural Labor. as a result of oversight hearings. discovered that abuses of migrant workers and agricultural employers by farm labor contractors still existed. Some migrant workers were being held in virtual bondage by certain crew leaders and the same or other crew leaders were failing to show up for work on farms or ranches they had contracted to provide a crew for if "better pickings" were available elsewhere. The hearings of the subcommittee were so compelling in the revelation of abuses and inadequate enforcement that both sides of the aisle joined in a bipartisan effort to strengthen the act. As a result. the 1974 amendments directed the Department to monitor. investigate and enforce the FLCRA. the penalties for violations were increased. coverage was extended to intrastate crew leaders and to those who transported fewer than 10 workers. a nondiscrimination clause was added. an independent cause of civil action became available. and enforcement was strengthened by requiring those who do business with a crew leader to observe the crew leaders certificate.