AEWR's New Benefits
From the Ag Information Network, I’m Bob Larson with today’s Fruit Grower Report. Updating the methodology for calculating wages for foreign guest-workers should be a significant improvement for both farm employers and employees.
Washington State Tree Fruit Association president, Jon DeVaney says H-2A wages were in serious need of a fix …
DeVANEY … “The survey data they’re using to set the Adverse Effect Wage Rate, the average wage, had previously been using an income survey done by the USDA that just showed all income including overtime, and bonuses, and other incentive pay. Well, that’s not the base wage that you should be using to average what the minimum requirements are.”
And this new system, DeVaney says should be more practical …
DeVANEY … “So, going to a much larger data set, occupational wage data from the Department of Labor, makes a lot of sense. And switching to both a tier 1 and tier 2 wages, recognizing that some jobs require higher skill than others and that they should have different base wage rates, makes a lot of sense.”
And for those who say, too much is being taken away from workers? …
DeVANEY … “They are still going to get the Washington state minimum wage. And so, being paid at the Washington state minimum wage plus free housing is still a great financial deal for someone coming from Mexico or other countries where their earning potential is far lower.”
DeVaney says having wage rates at a more natural structure and not compressed at the high end, should be beneficial to producers and to employees.
