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This bill matters because it directly impacts labor costs for a significant segment of the agricultural industry and the wages of many foreign workers who harvest crops in the U.S. If it becomes law and the Secretary of Labor freezes the wage rate, it could provide financial predictability and potentially relief for farmers facing rising labor costs, which might influence food prices or the competitiveness of American agriculture.
However, it also means that H-2A workers would not see their minimum wage increase for two years, even if economic factors or a different calculation method would normally suggest a higher wage. If the bill does not become law, the Department of Labor would continue to calculate and update the Adverse Effect Wage Rate using existing methods, which typically results in annual adjustments.
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This bill matters because it directly impacts labor costs for a significant segment of the agricultural industry and the wages of many foreign workers who harvest crops in the U.S. If it becomes law and the Secretary of Labor freezes the wage rate, it could provide financial predictability and potentially relief for farmers facing rising labor costs, which might influence food prices or the competitiveness of American agriculture.
However, it also means that H-2A workers would not see their minimum wage increase for two years, even if economic factors or a different calculation method would normally suggest a higher wage. If the bill does not become law, the Department of Labor would continue to calculate and update the Adverse Effect Wage Rate using existing methods, which typically results in annual adjustments.
An AI model extracted this from the bill’s official record and can make mistakes. Check the official text ↗ (opens in new tab)