IRVINE, CALIF. (March 6, 2023) – Following the U.S. Department of Labor’s announcement that it will publish a final rule to amend the Adverse Effect Wage Rates for the H-2A program, Western Growers President & CEO Dave Puglia issued the following statement:
“American farmers are already stretched to the limit by rising costs and shrinking margins. With economic blinders on, the Administration will now mandate that farmers pay higher wages to H-2A workers and domestic workers in corresponding employment,” said Western Growers President & CEO Dave Puglia. “Increasing wages by regulatory order will force farmers to cut back on plantings in the U.S. and increase their farm operations in Mexico and other countries where wages are a fraction of the H-2A wage. No one in the Administration would want those things to happen, but these are the entirely foreseeable consequences of economically myopic policy decisions like this.”
| For more information, please contact:
Ann Donahue (949) 302-7600 [email protected] |
About Western Growers:
Founded in 1926, Western Growers represents local and regional family farmers growing fresh produce in California, Arizona, Colorado and New Mexico. Western Growers’ members and their workers provide over half the nation’s fresh fruits, vegetables and tree nuts, including half of America’s fresh organic produce. Connect and learn more about Western Growers on Twitter and Facebook.
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