“Problematic” H2A Rule Issued
This is California Ag Today on the Ag Information Network. I am Haylie Shipp.
The U.S. Department of Labor has now issued a final rule regarding the H-2A program for migrant workers. The agency says the rule would “strengthen protections for farmworkers.” However, one ag leader says that rule could instead create a burden…
“The proposed rule that is leading up to this was just very, very problematic for American agriculture, and so our view is nothing positive can come out of the final rule.”
That’s Chuck Conner, President and CEO of the National Council of Farmer Cooperatives (NCFC). Even though he and his team are reading through the 600 pages that were published for the final rule, Conner believes the direction of the rule could negatively impact farm operations…
“The U.S. Department of Labor just seems determined to grant an enormous number of new worker rights for farm workers out there. These rights are important, but, at the same time, they really can't come at the expense of the freedom and the oversight on our farms and ranches.”
Conner says he’s been pushing for farm labor reform, but this isn’t it…
“We want these farms and ranchers to have full access to as much labor as they need to keep food production in this country and not overseas somewhere.”
The Farmworker Protection Rule will take effect on June 28th.
