December 3, 2007

ISSUE 1195

AEWR FOR H-2A WORKERS TO INCREASE

USDA released its fourth quarter farm labor survey results on Nov. 16. This release also includes the 2007 annual average field and livestock worker wage rates. Under current U.S. Department of Labor (USDOL) regulations, the 2007 annual average field and livestock worker wage rates will become the 2008 Adverse Effect Wage Rates (AEWR) when published and made effective by the USDOL in the Federal Register. They are usually published on or about March 1 of the calendar year following publication.

For Florida, the annual average field and livestock worker wage was $8.82 per hour, a 3.0% increase from the present $8.56 per hour. The national average wage rate was $9.49, which was an increase of 3.7% over last year’s wage. This is the wage rate that all employers who employ H-2A workers must pay, or an hourly wage guarantee, when it becomes effective in either late February or early March 2008.