News

Farmworker Act could be first ag labor update in 30+ years

The National Council of Agricultural Employers says the Farmworker Act isn’t perfect but it’s an inroad to fix ag labor issues.

President Michael Marsh tells Brownfield regardless of the Farm Workforce Modernization legislation moved through the U.S. House, it will be more focused on employees than in the Senate.

“The fact that we’ve got something moving, something going, is critically important because the last time this issue was even addressed relative to ag labor in the U.S. House of Representatives was in 1986.”

He’s optimistic the bill could still get to the President’s desk before the 2020 election but before the next growing season would be ideal.

“It would freeze the adverse effect wage rate for 2020 at the 2019 rate, even roll it back to the 2019 rate if we don’t get it passed before Christmas.”

He says even though the bill still needs work, more than 300 ag groups have supported it because the industry wants to be at the table to help modernize ag labor regulations.