Comment Period Extended on Proposed Changes to H-2A Program

A bright spot in the issue of the proposed changes by the Department of Labor on the H-2A Program. The Department did extend the commenting period until June 1st. However the onerous proposed changes, by the DOL need to be commented upon.
American Sheep Industry Association Executive Director Peter Orwick says
Orwick: “The Department went beyond just publishing the special procedures for formal comment. They’ve rewritten part of the procedures drastically. And that of course gives concern whether if we can even be to continue the program. And if we don’t the program — without herders you don’t the sheep operations. So that is why we have national interests in this proposed rule. For example the wage calculation, the Department of Labor is proposing tripling the wage for herders. That is just unacceptable. Economically these ranches can’t handle dramatic jumps in expenses such as that.”
According to an American Sheep Industry Association communication, if DOL had engaged in a conversation with the stakeholder industry, they would have heard about the calamitous effect of their proposed rule. Instead, they have ignored the industry's proposals, and refused repeated requests to meet.