H-2A Worker Program Reform: Easier Hiring, Higher Wages, and Job Portability.
This Act significantly reforms the H-2A temporary agricultural worker program, aiming to streamline the hiring process for farmers and provide greater flexibility for workers. It establishes a centralized online portal for applications and introduces a pilot program allowing workers to switch registered agricultural employers within the same state. The law also mandates a higher minimum wage for these workers, set at $2.00 above the applicable state minimum wage.
Key points
Wage Increase: H-2A workers must be paid the state minimum wage plus an additional $2.00 per hour.
Streamlined Hiring: An online portal will be created for employers to file petitions and post jobs, allowing simultaneous processing by government agencies.
Portable Visa Pilot: A 6-year pilot program (limited to 10,000 workers) allows experienced H-2A workers to move freely between registered agricultural employers within the state of initial admission.
Expanded Eligibility: The H-2A program is expanded to include workers in greenhouses and indoor farms, regardless of whether the work is temporary or seasonal.
Status:
Introduced
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