According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture National Agricultural Statistics Service, there were 30,000 farm labor workers hired directly by farmers in the Southeast, including Alabama, Georgia and South Carolina, during the week of April 10-16. Florida producers hired 28,000 during the same timeframe. Southeast farm operators paid hired farm labor workers an average gross wage rate of $13.76 per …
AFBF Fearful Vaccination Mandate Could Impact H-2A Program
By Clint Thompson The mandate that all non-U.S individuals entering the United States show proof of a COVID-19 vaccination will impact specialty crop producers hoping to get H-2A workers into the country in time for the spring crop. That’s the fear anyway shared by American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) Director of Congressional Relations Allison Crittendon. “I think it could cause …
Truck Driver Industry Expert: Stop Stealing Each Other’s Drivers
By Clint Thompson The ongoing truck driver shortage is not a problem that will be solved overnight. What can help, though, is that companies stop stealing each other’s drivers, says Tra Williams, owner and president of Fleetforce Truck Driving School in Winter Haven, Florida. “Stealing each other’s drivers is not solving this problem. The longer you focus on saying, ‘I’ve …
New Vaccine Rule Could Impact H-2A Worker Availability
By Clint Thompson The new requirement that non-U.S. citizens entering the United States be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 could impact access farm laborers have to H-2A workers. That’s the concern shared by Chris Butts, executive vice president of the Georgia Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association. “What they’re asking is that they verbally attest to the vaccination status, and they have …
DHS Requirement: Non-U.S. Individual Travelers Entering U.S. Must Be Fully Vaccinated
WASHINGTON – Beginning today January 22, 2022, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) will require non-U.S. individuals seeking to enter the United States, either by land ports of entry or ferry terminals at the U.S.-Mexico and U.S.-Canada borders, to be fully vaccinated for COVID-19. They will also have to provide related proof of vaccination. These new restrictions will apply to non-U.S. individuals who are traveling for both essential and non-essential reasons. They will not apply to U.S. citizens, Lawful Permanent Residents …
UF/IFAS, UF College of Medicine Collaborate to Offer Health Screenings for Farmworkers
WIMAUMA, Fla. — A University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) statewide health initiative will provide health screenings for about 200,000 migrant farmworkers in Florida. It hopes to provide an underserved population with health-maintenance care, including nutritional information. It all starts Saturday, Jan. 22 in Wimauma, Florida. Any farmworker can take advantage of the free screenings by …
New H-2A Wages Effective Dec. 29
A prior issue of the Florida Citrus Mutual Triangle newsletter provided information about the new wage that growers must pay H-2A labor, effective Wednesday, Dec. 29. The H-2A program allows U.S. employers who meet specific regulatory requirements to bring foreign nationals to the United States to fill temporary agricultural jobs. The Employment and Training Administration (ETA) of the Department of …
AFBF, Other Groups Send Letter Requesting Ag Workers Be Exempt From Travel Restrictions
The American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF), along with more than 60 agricultural groups, including the Alabama Farmers Federation, Florida Farm Bureau Federation, Georgia Agribusiness Council, Georgia Farm Bureau and Georgia Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association, sent a letter to the Biden Administration requesting that agricultural workers from South Africa be exempt from travel restrictions. The “Proclamation on Suspension of Entry …
DOL Extends Comment Period for Rulemaking to Protect Workers from Heat
WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration is extending the period for submitting comments on the Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking for Heat Injury and Illness Prevention in Outdoor and Indoor Work Settings. Comments on the ANPRM must now be submitted by Jan. 26, 2022. The 30-day extension provides stakeholders more time to review the …
Department of Labor Issues Proposed Rule Modifying Methodology for Setting AEWR
WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor announced this week a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking seeking public comment on its proposal to modify the methodology used to determine the hourly Adverse Effect Wage Rates (AEWR) for the H-2A program. The proposed changes will better enable the department to meet its statutory mandate to ensure the employment of H-2A workers will …