Old Labor Rules

 The department of labor is planning to suspend brand new regulations for the h2a program, which is the program used to hire foreign farm workers, but American Farm Bureau labor specialist Paul Schlegel says this about-face will be harmful to the program.

 (Schlegel): “It’s confusing to growers.  It will minimize use of the program. It will be legally confusing and the people that are going to be left holding the bag are the growers.”  

 Schlegel says reverting to the old rules will make it easier for people here illegally to get jobs.  That’s because growers who use the program must hire anyone referred by a state workforce agency, but the old rule does not require those state agencies to make sure people are eligible to work in the United States.

 (Schlegel): “So the practical effect is you now have workers who aren’t eligible to work in the United States who will be entitled to get those jobs and we don’t think that’s an appropriate provision.” 

 Schegel says, in essence, that rewards people who break the law, instead of encouraging them to use the government program.

 (Schlegel): The people who are in it are only here temporarily and they go home.  So they’re not here illegally and they’re not here competing with U.S. workers for other jobs.