Employment Security Department can help with guest-worker paperwork - June 1, 2006
06-043
Media contact:
Bill Tarrow,
360-902-9376
Audio: http://fortress.wa.gov/esd/portal/info/newsroom/audio
OLYMPIA - Agricultural employers who are concerned about having an adequate labor force can take advantage of the existing federal guest-worker program, which is administered in Washington by the state’s Employment Security Department.
The Alien Employment Certification H2-A program allows agricultural employers to import foreign workers temporarily if and when there are not enough qualified U.S. workers available.
“We are committed to finding better ways to help growers locate workers to harvest their crops,” said Karen Lee, commissioner of the Employment Security Department. “H2-A is an important recruitment tool that growers can use to fill their employment needs.”
Employment Security’s official role in the H2-A application process is to oversee efforts to recruit U.S. workers and to help the federal government determine whether a shortage exists. In addition, said Lee, her department can help educate farmers about how the program works and walk them through the sometimes-confusing application process.
“No matter how well-intentioned they are, sometimes government programs are too confusing to be truly accessible,” Lee said. “Our staff understand that, and we have people available to help so this program can be a real option for Washington’s growers.”
An H2-A application must be submitted to the U.S. Department of Labor at least 45 days prior to when the workers are needed. Agricultural employers interested in learning more about the program should contact Oscar Trevino at (360) 438-4653.
“While it may be a little late to file H2-A applications for some crops this year, there’s still time to gear up for apples and other late-harvest crops,” Lee said.
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