Farmers are urging Congress to take action and reverse the Department of Labor's new rule increasing H-2A seasonal guest worker costs. The new rule has led to a rise in wage rates of up to 12% nationwide, and Michigan has seen a nearly 13% increase this year.
To address the issue, farm groups are pressing for a Congressional Review Act resolution to disapprove of the methodology used to determine Adverse Effect Wage Rates. The Agriculture Workforce Coalition, which comprises over 70 organizations including the American Farm Bureau and the National Council of Agricultural Employers, has also sent a letter to Congress asking for action.
John Kran of the Michigan Farm Bureau says his organization is issuing an action alert this week, calling on lawmakers to cosponsor and support the resolution. Kran notes that the Congressional Review Act has bipartisan support, and the need for national food security could make the labor issue one the President might support.
Farmers are concerned about the impact of rising costs and are urging Congress to take action to mitigate it. The labor issue has become a pressing concern for them, and the call for action is gaining momentum. While the WOTUS CRA didn't pass, Kran notes that there is already bipartisan support on this issue. The plea for Congress to reverse the rule and decrease labor costs is building as farmers seek relief from the increasing financial burden.
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Categories: Michigan, Business, General