Source: www.TurfMagazine.com
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The National Association of Landscape Professionals (NALP) reports President Obama is expected to sign H-2B relief into law.
On evening of Dec. 15, Congress released the final omnibus spending that goes through September 30, 2016. The House and Senate are expected to pass the measure in the next few days and President Obama is expected to sign the bill into law. Lawmakers who fought for these provisions face an onslaught of criticism from anti-immigration and labor groups, so please take a few minutes to thank them for recognizing the importance of the H-2B program to seasonal employers.
The Details
The bill will do the following through September 30:
- Exempt H-2B returning workers from the 66,000 annual cap;
- Address H-2B wages and allow the use of private wage surveys, which are not allowed under the new final H-2B wage rule;
- Clearly define seasonal as ten months, as opposed to the nine months in the new interim final H-2B comprehensive rule;
- Prevent DOL from implementing the provisions of the interim final rule related to corresponding employment and the ¾ guarantee; and
- Prevent DOL from implementing the new and burdensome DOL enforcement scheme in the IFR related to audit and the Certifying Officer (CO) assisted recruitment.
The NALP urges its members to call their Representative and two Senators and express support for H-2B provisions in the omnibus spending bill and if they have been supportive of the H-2B program, thank them for working with their colleagues to address the H-2B program. You can reach your Member of Congress and two Senators through the Capitol Switchboard at 202-225-3121. Once connected to the office, please ask to speak to the staff person who handles H-2B issues.