FWMA Reintroduced Pt 1
From the Ag Information Network, this is today’s Fruit Grower Report. Last week, U.S. Representative Dan Newhouse was part of a bipartisan group that reintroduced the Farm Workforce Modernization Act to reform the H-2A visa program.
The Sunnyside Republican says given our current labor challenges in agriculture, it just makes sense …
NEWHOUSE … “It is all commonsense stuff, it really is. What we’re asking for is nothing, you know, it’s not rocket science what we’re trying to do. Basically, we want people to be able to come into our country legally, work at farms in this case, in this legislation, where we absolutely need them. And the, when the work is done and they want to go back home, they can do that legally as well without fear of not being able to come back.”
The system currently in place, Newhouse says just isn’t doing enough …
NEWHOUSE … “You know, other countries have figured this out. We have, to some extent, but it’s a cumbersome, difficult process for people to use. It’s expensive and it doesn't cover all of agriculture. So, we’re trying to make some needed changes to the program.”
Fortunately, Newhouse says the word has been getting out to lawmakers …
NEWHOUSE … “I think the good thing is, Bob, over the years farmers in other states are expressing their concerns and their urgency to their members of Congress. So, people are hearing about the high cost of agricultural labor. Wages are, keep going up and up and up, and the availability of workers keeps going the other direction.”
Tune in tomorrow for more on why the reintroduction of the Farm Workforce Modernization Act is a good thing.
