Changes to US work visa rules for farm workers
February 12 2010 by Liam Clifford
A new rule, for the appointment of foreign agricultural staff to work in the US, was introduced yesterday by the US Labour Department.
From 15 March, employers seeking
H-2A visas for agricultural staff will have to submit proof that they tried to
employ local staff first. In addition, the Labour Department is soon to set
guidelines as to how much foreign agricultural workers should be paid. It says
these limits are needed as the average wage for a H-2A work visa holder has
fallen from $9.04 per hour to $8.02 per hour.
Growers groups are
concerned that the new law will make the process of finding staff much more
difficult and complicated. Currently, the vast majority of agricultural workers
are thought to be US work visa holders from abroad, with immigrants being
particularly employable for temporary harvesting work.
Farm worker unions
are welcoming the changes and Arturo Rodriguez of the United Farm Workers Union
says the legislation is a “great victory for all farm workers.”
Labour
Secretary Hilda L. Solis stated, "this new rule will make it possible for all
workers who are working hard on American soil to receive fair pay.”
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