Apple growers object to new worker rule
A new federal rule on hiring foreign workers adopted last week is expected to adversely affect the state's apple industry.
The U.S. Department of Labor is requiring growers who hire temporary foreign workers through the federal H-2A program to advertize locally for positions and increase wages to $10.50 an hour, according to the Bangor Daily News. The new rule is intended to ensure that foreign workers are not given preference for jobs over domestic workers, and that the employment of foreign workers will not negatively impact wages and conditions for similarly employed local workers.
But the wage changes mean the state's apple growers will be required to pay unskilled domestic workers the same rates as foreign workers, some of whom have been working in Maine's apple orchards for 20 years, according to the paper. Orchard owners told the paper that local interest in the jobs is low, and expressed concern local workers may leave before the season ends or be unable to work at the pace of experienced foreign employees.
The new rule, which goes into effect March 15, will not affect the state's potato or blueberry industries since those industries do not hire workers under the H-2A program, according to the paper.
Go to the article from the Bangor Daily News >>
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