By Clint Thompson
The lack of a farm bill is concerning for Alabama fruit and vegetable farmers. But at the forefront of their minds is the current labor situation, specifically the Adverse Effect Wage Rate, tied to the H-2A program.
Blake Thaxton, executive director of the Alabama Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association (AFVGA), talked about the challenges his producers are facing amid the current economic climate.
“Just like farmers had to make the decision to get into the H-2A program was out of necessity, at some point, they will have to get out, out of necessity, because they just can’t afford it. I’m not positive what that breaking point is, but it feels like it’s a lot closer than it was a few years ago,” Thaxton said. “If we could get a temporary relief to rethink the way these wages are calculated, that would be a very helpful thing for farmers in Alabama and across the country.”
What is AEWR?
According to the Federal Register, AEWRs are the minimum wage rates the Department of Labor has determined must be offered, advertised in recruitment and paid by employers to H-2A workers and workers in corresponding employment so that the wages and working conditions of workers in the U.S. similarly employed will not be adversely affected.
The AEWR in Alabama is currently $14.68 per hour, but it has increased from $13.67 last year and $11.99 in 2022.
Legislative leaders have advocated for Southeast farmers with respect to calling attention to the current rate spike.
U.S. Senator Tommy Tuberville (R-AL), along with nine other senators, sent a letter to the leadership of the House and Senate Appropriations Committees, requesting action to freeze H-2A wage rates at the January 2023 levels. It would have prevented this year’s increase.
“It didn’t seem to go anywhere, but we were very pleased with Sen. Tuberville’s efforts in trying to make that happen and appreciate his support. We’d like to see the rest of Congress see the importance of freezing that Adverse Effect Wage Rate so we can have affordable labor to provide fresh food to this country,” Thaxton said.
The H-2A program experienced record participation in 2023 with 378,513 positions.