Legislation To Reduce Farm Labor Shortages

The 2011 harvest season found many Eastern Washington apple producers wondering if they were going to lose the majority of their crops due to an inability to find a sufficient number of regular harvest workers. In hopes of avoiding this same situation come harvest time this year Representative Norm Johnson has introduced legislation that would give the State Board of Education the authority to grant school districts waivers in order to coordinate school schedules with those of working age students who may seek employment harvesting fruit. This Bill would also help make it possible for colleges and technical schools to do the same. Johnson explains.

JOHNSON: Agriculture is one of the biggest driving forces in the economy in the state of Washington. We felt that there was a real need for some labor reform that might make it more easy for school-aged kids, college-aged kids and people who are unemployed.

House Bill 2408 also directs Employment Security to include refugees and asylum seekers for screening and referral to farm-related jobs.

For those growers interested in using the H-2A guest worker program but not sure if it will work for them, the Washington Farm Labor Association is offering a two part Webinar series February 1st and 8th. The sessions will address such issues as when H-2A works and when it doesn’t, employer requirements, application types, limiting liability, and selection of workers. For registration information visit wafla.org

I’m Lacy Gray and that’s Washington Ag Today on Northwest Ag Information Network.