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Department of Labor Releases Final Rule Regarding Temporary Agricultural Worker Protections

Washington, DC – Today, the Department of Labor (DOL) announced the final rule for the H-2A Visa Program, Improving Protections for Workers in Temporary Agricultural Employment in the United States. In the coming days, Farmworker Justice will provide an analysis of the final rule along with fact sheets explaining the impact of the rule on farmworkers.
 
“Farmworker Justice and our partners submitted recommendations which, if adopted, would significantly improve working conditions and expand critical access to resources such as healthcare and legal service providers. Moreover, we have stressed to DOL the urgent need for strong protections that prevent the exploitation of farmworkers. In the coming days, we will review the final rule and provide an analysis along with additional resources for partners and stakeholders to advocate on behalf of farmworkers and their families,” said Farmworker Justice CEO, Ron Estrada.
 
In 2023, Farmworker Justice urged DOL to amend the H-2A Visa Program to include the following: 
 
– improve farmworkers’ ability to secure decent working conditions 
– allow farmworkers to assert their legal rights without fear of retribution
– expand access to labor unions, healthcare and legal service providers
– prohibit the arbitrary termination of workers whose visa is tied to their employment 
– strengthen DOL’s ability to prevent recruitment fraud
– prohibit employers from confiscating a worker’s immigration documents such as a passport or visa

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