Mid-Western farmers concerned over temporary US work visa changes
March 01 2010 by Liam Clifford
Harvesting the crops that grow in hot, dry states in the centre of the US is a long, hard, time-consuming job that is mostly carried out by US visa holders.
However, as a result of recent changes to the policies governing the
hiring of temporary staff from abroad to work in the US, farmers are
worried about labour shortages going forward.
Farmers currently mostly employ migrant workers to undertake the
harvesting work as it often involves being away from home for long
periods. It is hard, hot work that US citizens tend not to be so keen
on.
However, changes to the use of H-2A US work visas were announced in February and could make life harder for farmers.
Custom cutter Clayton Befort, whose harvesting staff is usually made up
of around 50 per cent immigrants living in the US, explained, "we're
all concerned." "If they make it harder, it will be tough to get enough
help." Others claim the new policy is "costly and it's hard to navigate
and everything about it is to discourage its use."
US immigration made the changes to increase pay and conditions for
migrant workers and to ensure that US workers are considered for
seasonal work before US visa holders are given the positions.
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