--- On Thu, 12/11/08, Immigration Policy Center <[email protected]> wrote:
From: Immigration Policy Center <[email protected]> Subject: New Farmworker Rules Will Deteriorate Conditions Even Further To: [email protected] Date: Thursday, December 11, 2008, 12:11 PM For Immediate Release New Farmworker Rules Will Deteriorate Conditions Even Further Midnight Changes to H-2A Guestworker Program Hurt All Workers December 11, 2008 Washington D.C.-The Bush Administration has finalized and is about to publish yet another set of last minute far-reaching regulations, this time dealing with the H-2A guestworker program. Farmwork is already among the most poorly-paid and most dangerous of all work in the U.S. While the H-2A program does currently provide some wage guarantees and protections for foreign workers, the new rules will allow growers to replace U.S. farmworkers with "cheaper" guestworkers. For years there have been attempts to improve the conditions of farmworkers. However, the new rules would set the bar even lower -- by dropping requirements that growers recruit U.S. workers, lowering wage rates, reducing requirements that employers provide housing, and eliminating government oversight -- harming both U.S. and foreign farmworkers. "Harsh, harmful and hasty. The Grinch has come early this year as the Bush Administration snatches the most meager of protections from the most vulnerable of workers. Such a plan is not immigration reform or economic stimulus. These actions will weaken labor and living standards of workers already doing some of the hardest and most important work-putting food on our tables" said Angela Kelley, Director of the Immigration Policy Center. "The Administration should not move forward with these rules and instead signal support for the passage of effective comprehensive immigration reform that improves wages and working conditions for all workers early in the 111th Congress." Given the current state of our economy and immigration system, we must look for ways to help workers and lift standards for all and these rules will do just the opposite. We need comprehensive, fair and workable solutions to our immigration system and economic situation, not piecemeal, midnight decisions that harm workers. For more information on the issue visit Farmworker Justice online and read their report Litany of Abuses. ### For more information contact: Wendy Sefsaf, 202-507-7524 or email [email protected] Andrea Nill, 202-507-7520 or email [email protected] The Immigration Policy Center (IPC), established in 2003, is the policy arm of the American Immigration Law Foundation. IPC's mission is to shape a rational national conversation on immigration and immigrant integration. Through its research and analysis, IPC provides policymakers, the media, and the general public with accurate information about the role of immigrants and immigration policy on U.S. society. IPC reports and materials are widely disseminated and relied upon by press and policy makers. IPC staff regularly serves as experts to leaders on Capitol Hill, opinion-makers and the media. IPC is a non-partisan organization that neither supports nor opposes any political party or candidate for office A division of the American Immigration Law Foundation. Visit our website at www.immigrationpolicy.org. This email was sent to [email protected] by [email protected]. Update Profile/Email Address | Instant removal with SafeUnsubscribe™ | Privacy Policy. Email Marketing by Immigration Policy Center | 1331 G Street, NW | Suite 200 | Washington | DC | 20005 --~--~---------~--~----~------------~-------~--~----~ Internet group address: http://groups.google.com/group/ChicagoMayDay To send e-mail: [email protected] To unsuscribe: [email protected] -~----------~----~----~----~------~----~------~--~---
