Late last week, the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) announced a final rule to strengthen protections for farmworkers – “Improving Protections for Workers in Temporary Agricultural Employment in the United States.” The rule targets vulnerability and abuses experienced by workers under the H-2A program that undermine fair labor standards for all farmworkers in the U.S. The rule increases and strengthens worker protections, enhances the Department’s enforcement capabilities in the H-2A temporary agricultural employment program, and helps to ensure that an employer’s use of the H-2A program does not adversely affect the wages and working conditions of workers in the U.S.
The final rule will take effect on June 28, 2024. For more information, please visit Final Rule: Improving Protections for Workers in Temporary Agricultural Employment in the United States.
AmericanHort shared comments with key DOL officials last November expressing several concerns with the proposed rules. Now that the rules are finalized, AmericanHort will continue to advocate for members and the industry. It will share additional analysis in the coming days on the expected impact of this rule.
Have questions or comments for us on this final rule? Message Matt Mika at AmericanHort.
