Bipartisan legislation has been introduced in the House of Representatives to reform the H-2A agricultural guest worker program.
The Securing Agriculture’s Workforce Act (SAWA), introduced by House Agriculture Committee Chairman GT Thompson (R-PA) with 50 original cosponsors, including many representing apple-growing districts, includes several long-standing USApple priorities. Read our statement here.
The bill would:
- Make the current H-2A wage methodology permanent.
- Expand H-2A to year-round agricultural employers.
- Allow packing facilities to employ H-2A workers, including when packing fruit from multiple growers.
- Simplify H-2A program requirements.
The bill marks an important step toward meaningful agricultural labor reform. USApple continues to lead advocacy efforts by building additional House support and advancing companion legislation in the Senate.