Idaho resorts to hire fewer US work visa holders
October 02 2009 by Robbie Ragless
An Idaho resort, Sun Valley Co., says it will be taking on fewer US work visa holders this winter because there is more demand for work from locals.
Matt Parke, the personnel manager at Sun Valley Co., explains that the resort usually hires 220 immigrants who have moved to the US on H-2B visas, which allow people to work in the US temporarily. The H-2B prgramme has always been popular with resorts across the US, who found it difficult to hire staff from local areas as they were simply not interested in the seasonal work.
Many such resorts have always tried to hire US staff first, but have failed to attract the labour needed and have turned to work permit holders as a result.
However, this winter things are different for Sun Valley, which expects to employ only 70 H-2B visa workers and around 50 US student visa holders.
Parke explains that many people in the US have been made redundant and are desperate for work. As a result they are applying for jobs that immigrants traditionally take, such as kitchen work, cleaning and maintenance.
However, due to the temporary nature of the recession, migrant workers are expected to be in huge demand as the country’s economy recovers.
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