Help wanted: from California, Texas and beyond - May 23, 2007

07-033

Media contacts: Sheryl Hutchison, 360-902-9289
Bill Tarrow, 360-902-9376

Audio: http://fortress.wa.gov/esd/portal/info/newsroom/audio

OLYMPIA – The Employment Security Department is expanding its efforts to help agricultural employers recruit workers from outside of Washington during the 2007 harvest season. 

“Growers are concerned about having enough workers to bring in their crops this year,” said Karen Lee, commissioner for the Employment Security Department.  “We’re trying to make a difference by helping growers tap into available programs to recruit workers in Washington, other states and even other countries.” 

In addition to its normal recruitment services, the department will promote the use of two federal programs to help growers locate workers from outside the state in 2007.  

The federal H2-A program allows agricultural employers to apply for permission to hire temporary guest workers from other countries, while the Agricultural Recruitment System allows employers to recruit agricultural workers from other states.  Both are administered by the federal Department of Labor and have many similarities and some differences.  

In both programs, the state Employment Security Department must work with growers during the application phase to recruit local workers and determine if a labor shortage exists. 

 Once the Department of Labor certifies an H2-A application, the grower typically works with a contractor to recruit and secure temporary help from outside the country.  For the Agricultural Recruitment System, Employment Security works with its counterpart agencies throughout the country to recruit domestic workers on a grower’s behalf.  

Lee said that her staff has already begun talking with colleagues in California and Texas about helping to recruit workers from their states if a labor shortage materializes in Washington.

The department also has trained and designated additional staff at its WorkSource offices to help growers with the application processes and requirements for both recruitment programs. 

So far this year, 22 growers have filed H2-A applications requesting some 1,000 workers, already exceeding the total for all of 2006.  No applications for the Agricultural Recruitment System were filed in Washington last year, but the department is aware of at least one that is currently being developed.

“Growers don’t want to get caught flat-footed if a labor shortage occurs again this year,” said Lee.  “They are investigating every possible way to guarantee their work force.”  

As part of its support services, Employment Security has launched a new Web site at www.wa.gov/esd/farmworkers to educate farm workers about Washington agricultural jobs and available services.  The site provides information on jobs, types of crops, crop activity, housing, education, health care and more.  

“This new Web site is an important tool for people interested in working in agriculture in Washington,” said Mike Gempler, executive director for the Washington Growers League. “It will help farm workers find jobs faster and provide accurate information about available services and community resources.  Ultimately, it will greatly benefit growers in Washington state.”

Growers interested in learning more about available programs to recruit agricultural workers should visit their local WorkSource office or call Employment Security’s central office at 360-438-4653. 

Web Links
Farmworker site

WorkSource office locations, resources for job seekers and businesses, and a searchable database of job listings

Information on occupations, wages and other economic trends