Holland Reporter

Jan 11 2024

Congressman Bill Huizenga (R-MI) and 74 of his colleagues have sent a bipartisan letter to House and Senate appropriations leaders, urging for an H-2A visa guestworker wage freeze in an upcoming spending package. The purpose of this freeze is to alleviate the financial burden on family farms caused by the significant increase in the Adverse Effect Wage Rate (AEWR).

The AEWR, which is the required wage that farm employers must pay H-2A workers, has more than doubled since 2005. As a result, the cost of agricultural labor has become unaffordable, making it difficult for farms to stay in business. In 2024, the national average AEWR is projected to be $17.55 per hour, representing a year-over-year increase of over 5%. In Michigan, the AEWR will be even higher at $18.50 per hour, while neighboring Canada pays its agricultural workers closer to $11 per hour.

Congressman Huizenga and the Members of Congress who signed the letter highlighted the impact of these inflated labor costs on farmers and the agricultural industry as a whole. They emphasized that without a temporary wage freeze, many farms will be forced to close, risking the nation's food security and the livelihoods of millions of Americans. They stated, "If we do nothing, many of our constituents will be forced to shutter their businesses, despite good-faith efforts to ensure our national food security and feed families across our nation."

Agricultural leaders have expressed their support for the proposed H-2A wage freeze and have detailed the negative consequences that an increase in labor costs would have on farmers, growers, and producers. Zippy Duvall, President of the American Farm Bureau Federation, stated, "Members of Congress have a unique and timely opportunity to help America's farmers and their employees keep producing safe and nutritious food." Cathy Burns, CEO of the International Fresh Produce Association, added, "This bipartisan effort led by Rep. Huizenga to provide much-needed meaningful relief as Congress seeks broader reforms is exactly what our industry needs right now."

Michigan Farm Bureau President Carl Bednarski also emphasized the critical nature of this issue for Michigan farmers, stating, "We are stuck with an unrealistic and unpredictable wage rate structure that is forcing many to think twice about growing fruits and vegetables in our state." Bednarski expressed gratitude to Congressman Huizenga and the bipartisan group of colleagues for their leadership in addressing this issue and working towards finding solutions that keep farmers in business and ensure the availability of U.S. grown fruits, vegetables, and other foods.

The U.S. Apple Association also voiced its support for the proposed wage freeze, with President & CEO Jim Bair stating, "The cost of growing apples increased 65 percent in three years, and the main culprit is the cost of labor." Bair called on Congress to enact the freeze and pass reforms to the H-2A program.

The letter to the House and Senate Appropriations highlights the financial strain that the AEWR places on farm operations and requests an H-2A wage freeze in upcoming funding legislation. It emphasizes the need for a level playing field for domestic producers and recognizes that while more permanent solutions are necessary, immediate relief is needed to prevent further harm to farmers and ranchers.

In conclusion, Congressman Huizenga and his colleagues are leading a bipartisan effort to address the escalating labor costs faced by family farms. By advocating for an H-2A wage freeze, they aim to provide relief to farmers and ensure the sustainability of the agricultural industry. The support from agricultural leaders and organizations underscores the urgency of the issue and the need for Congress to take action.

To find out more, go to this link: https://huizenga.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=402767