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GOP ag labor bill introduced
A Republican labor bill has been introduced in the U.S. House. Congressman Ted Yoho of Florida talked about the Labor Certainty for Food Security Act at this week’s House Ag Committee hearing with Secretary Perdue…
“The goal is to create a predictable, reliable, certain workforce for our producers but give opportunity to give our workers. And this is both H-2A for the temporary and it creates a year-round program.”
In a press call earlier this week, Yoho, compared e-verify improvements in the bill to pre-checking onto flights for H-2A guest workers.
“Employers are taking legitimate people that have already been background checked and cleared.”
While not a pathway to citizenship, Yoho says the legislation protects workers and their families for three years at a time.
He says the bill provides more flexibility on wage rates, length of employment and allows workers to move from farm to farm. It also moves the jurisdiction of ag labor from the Department of Labor to Agriculture and gives protections to ag workers currently working illegally in the U.S.
Yoho says it also redefines who is considered an “ag worker” to include employees working in ag transportation and processing until products reach wholesale.
Missouri Congresswoman Vicky Hartzler and Kentucky’s Andy Barr are among the co-sponsors.
