Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/50994
Labor H-2A is NOT FOR EVERYONE Employers who try to use it should be considered heroes, Dan Fazio says. by Geraldine Warner O Dan Fazio wishes the Department of Labor would clearify rules for growers. ne of the biggest of the many problems with the H-2A foreign guest-worker program, from the grower's point of view, is the inability of the Department of Labor to clearly provide answers to questions about the rules, says Dan Fazio, director of the Washington Farm Labor Association. Two agencies within the department are involved with the H-2A program: the Education Training Administra- tion, which administers the labor certification, and the Wage and Hour Division of the Employment Standards Administration, which enforces worker contracts. Fazio said the two do not communicate with each other, and, in some cases, the Wage and Hour Division has tried to enforce rules that are not in the program regulations. Fazio, whose organization processes the largest num- "We have this work force that's a national embarrassment because 70 percent of the workers are not eligible to be here." —Dan Fazio ber of H-2A applications on the West Coast, says he can't always recommend that growers use the pro- gram. He estimates that about 2,500 foreign workers came to work in Washington State through H-2A last season. It's estimated that the state needs 40,000 workers just to harvest the state's apple crop. Opening Minds .... Improving Fruiticulture 2012 Technical Fruit Tours Tour itineraries and registrations available at www.pheasantprojects.net/wecuinc New Zealand – March Apples and kiwi fruit United States and Canada – July Apple systems, thinning, and cherries Italy – November Machines and high density apples/pears/cherries South Africa – December Tree fruit horticulture in conjunction with ISHS Symposia Susan Pheasant susan@pheasantprojects.net Mauricio Frías mauricio@scsf.cl 28 JANUARY 1, 2012 GOOD FRUIT GROWER Tour leaders Mauricio Frías and Susan Pheasant carefully plan agricultural tour itineraries to maximize learning opportunities for technical information, as well as expanding cultural awareness and enjoyment of beautiful fruit growing regions. From welcome dinner to farewell fiesta, each technical tour is a journey to remember and appreciate. www.goodfruit.com