Evaluation of the H-2A Alien Labor Certification Process and the United States Farm Labor Market
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Evaluation of the H-2A Alien Labor Certification Process and the United States Farm Labor Market
Issue
2013-04
Publication Info
Description
The Employment and Training Administration (ETA) commissioned this evaluation for the purpose of identifying options for streamlining the H-2A program and estimating the future supply and demand of farm labor. The evaluation entailed analysis of administrative and statistical data, a review of government and research reports, and interviews with Office of Foreign Labor Certification, State Workforce Agency and National Processing Center staff, and others with significant knowledge of the H-2A program. The 247 page report, which includes a 150-page appendix of state farm labor profiles, identified three major options for streamlining the H-2A program: 1) make ETA’s H-2A application forms electronic to expedite accurate certifications and improve enforcement; 2) rate employers using an ABC system to encourage self-policing, and 3) reconsider current recruitment procedures. Regarding the supply and demand of farm labor, the report notes that models that were developed in the 1960s to explain the links between farm and nonfarm labor markets no longer generate significant coefficients on the variables expected to explain levels of farm worker employment. The report’s review of labor practices in selected labor-intensive commodities suggests that the demand for hand labor in each has likely peaked, but the reasons for expecting fewer farm workers in the future varies by commodity. The author suggests that the Department of Labor could stay abreast of farm labor changes by supporting case-study research.