U.S. House of Representatives Ag Committee Chairman Glenn T., G.T. Thompson has introduced legislation to provide some reforms to the H-2A Ag Workforce Program.
This bipartisan act, he said, is supported by the U.S. Peanut Federation. The Securing Agricultural Workforce Act specializes in addressing labor challenges and labor problems as visitors come to the U.S. and work in the fields and around the plants. They also want to broaden the eligible H-2A activities to include just about everything that you would need labor on the farm or with a commodity.
Also eliminate this mid-contract wage adjustments. Don’t change the rate halfway through the season. Also place annual limits on the adverse effect wage rates fluctuations in the season.
Also maintaining the creation of a single online filing platform for applications, petitions, and other specialties. Also include waiver authority, allowing certain experienced ag workforce that’s already in the United States, allow them to secure H-2A status. Also providing flexibility for the employers to stagger work dates when necessary.
With several changes they are suggesting on the new H-2A Ag Workforce Program.
Audio Reporting by Tyron Spearman for Southeast AgNet.