For other versions of this document, see http://wikileaks.org/wiki/CRS-RL34739 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Order Code RL34739 Temporary Farm Labor: The H-2A Program and the U.S. Department of Labor's Proposed Changes in the Adverse Effect Wage Rate (AEWR) November 6, 2008 Gerald Mayer Analyst in Labor Policy Domestic Social Policy Division Temporary Farm Labor: The H-2A Program and the U.S. Department of Labor's Proposed Changes in the Adverse Effect Wage Rate (AEWR) Summary The H-2A temporary agricultural worker program allows American agricultural employers to hire foreign workers to perform full-time temporary or seasonal work on farms in the United States. H-2A workers must be paid at least the highest of the adverse effect wage rate (AEWR), the prevailing wage, or the applicable federal or state minimum wage. The prevailing wage is based on state surveys funded by the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL). The AEWR is based on wage data from the Farm Labor Survey (FLS), which is conducted by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. On February 13, 2008, the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) published proposed regulations that would change the way the AEWR is determined. Final action on the proposed rule is expected in November 2008. Under the rule, the AEWR would be calculated from the Occupational Employment Statistics (OES) survey, which is conducted by the Bureau of Labor Statistics of the U.S. Department of Labor and state workforce agencies. Wages from the OES survey are available at four levels of skill and experience. The four wage levels are called Level I, Level II, Level III, and Level IV. Under the proposed rule, the AEWR could not be less than $7.25 an hour. The FLS and OES surveys cover different farm-related employers and provide different levels of detail by occupation and geographic area. An issue for Congress is the impact of the proposed change on the wages and employment of unauthorized farmworkers, H-2A workers, and U.S. workers. Generally speaking, under the proposed rule, in most areas both the minimum AEWR of $7.25 and the OES Level I wage (for entry level workers) would be lower than the current AEWR. In some areas, however, the Level I wage would be higher than the current AEWR. On the other hand, in most areas, the OES Level IV wage (for workers with management or supervisory duties), especially for livestock workers and farm equipment operators, would be higher than the current AEWR. Compared to the current AEWR, the proposed AEWR is more likely to be lower for crop workers than for livestock workers or farm equipment operators. In some areas, the prevailing wage could become the highest of the AEWR, prevailing wage, or minimum wage. In some areas in some states, the state minimum wage could become the highest of the three wage rates. In areas where the proposed rule would lower the wages that employers must offer H-2A workers, the rule should create an incentive for employers to hire more H-2A, as opposed to unauthorized, workers. In areas where the rule would increase the wages that employers must offer H-2A workers, the rule would probably not create an incentive to hire more H-2A workers. On the other hand, in areas where the rule would increase the wages of H-2A workers, it should create an incentive for employers to hire more U.S. workers. However, in areas where the rule would lower the wages that employers must offer H-2A workers, it could lower the wages employers offer U.S. workers. This report will be updated as issues warrant. Contents Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 The H-2A Program . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Wage Requirements for H-2A Workers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Prevailing Wages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 The Adverse Effect Wage Rate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Current Procedures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Proposed Procedures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 Potential Effects of the Proposed Change in the AEWR . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 Federal and State Minimum Wage Rates . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 Potential Effects of the Proposed Rule on the Wages and Employment of Farmworkers in the United States . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 Preview of the Findings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 Methodology and Assumptions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 Findings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 Comparison of the AEWR Based on the FLS Versus OES Survey . . . 16 Potential Effects of the Proposed Regulation on the Wages and Employment of Farmworkers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 Appendix . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23 List of Tables Table 1. Type of Wage Paid, FY2007 H-2A Certifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Table 2. Adverse Effect Wage Rates by State, 1990-2008 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Table 3. Comparisons of the Current Adverse Effect Wage Rates with Federal and State Minimum Wage Rates . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 Table 4. The Number of BLS Areas Where the Proposed AEWR, Using OES Level I Wage Rates, Would be Less Than or Greater Than the Current AEWR: A Comparison of Five States . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 Table 5. The Number of BLS Areas Where the Proposed AEWR, Using OES Level II Wage Rates, Would be Less Than or Greater Than the Current AEWR: A Comparison of Five States . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 Table 6. The Number of BLS Areas Where the Proposed AEWR, Using OES Level III Wage Rates, Would be Less Than or Greater Than the Current AEWR: A Comparison of Five States . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21 Table 7. The Number of BLS Areas Where the Proposed AEWR, Using OES Level IV Wage Rates, Would be Less Than or Greater Than the Current AEWR: A Comparison of Five States . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22 Table 8. The Four Hourly Wage Levels from the OES Survey for the State of North Carolina, Effective July 2008 Through June 2009 . . . . . . . . 24 Table 9. The Four Hourly Wage Levels from the OES Survey for the State of Georgia, Effective July 2008 Through June 2009 . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25 Table 10. The Four Hourly Wage Levels from the OES Survey for the State of Louisiana, Effective July 2008 Through June 2009 . . . . . . . . . . . . 26 Table 11. The Four Hourly Wage Levels from the OES Survey for the State of Florida, Effective July 2008 Through June 2009 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27 Table 12. The Four Hourly Wage Levels from the OES Survey for the State of Kentucky, Effective July 2008 Through June 2009 . . . . . . . . . . . . 28 Table 13. H-2A Prevailing Wages, North Carolina, 2008-2009 . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29 Table 14. H-2A Prevailing Wages, Georgia, 2008-2009 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30 Table 15. H-2A Prevailing Wages, Florida, 2008-2009 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34 Table 16. H-2A Prevailing Wages, Kentucky, 2008-2009 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35 Temporary Farm Labor: The H-2A Program and the U.S. Department of Labor's Proposed Changes in the Adverse Effect Wage Rate (AEWR) Introduction The H-2A temporary agricultural worker program allows American agricultural employers to hire foreign workers to perform full-time temporary or seasonal work on farms in the United States. H-2A workers must be paid at least the highest of the adverse effect wage rate (AEWR), the prevailing wage, or the applicable federal or state minimum wage. The AEWR is based on a farm labor survey conducted by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). Prevailing wages are based on state surveys funded by the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL). On February 13, 2008, DOL published proposed regulations that would make changes in the H-2A program. The proposed rule would not change the requirement that H-2A workers must be paid at least the highest of the AEWR, prevailing wage, or applicable minimum wage. It would, however, change the way the AEWR is determined. Under the proposed rule, the AEWR would be calculated from wage data collected by the Occupational Employment Statistics (OES) survey, which is an employer survey conducted by DOL's Bureau of Labor Statistics and state workforce agencies (SWAs).1 USDA's farm labor survey and DOL's employer survey cover different farm-related employers and provide different levels of detail by occupation and geographic area. An issue for Congress is the impact of the proposed change on the wages and employment of unauthorized farmworkers, H-2A workers, and U.S. workers. This report begins with a description of the H-2A program. Next, the report explains how the AEWR is currently determined and how it would be calculated under the proposed regulations. Finally, the report examines some potential effects of the proposed change in the AEWR on the wages and employment of foreign and U.S. workers on U.S. farms. 1 According to the U.S. Department of Labor, final action on the proposed regulation is expected in November 2008. U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration, ETA Unified Agenda, Final Rule Stage, available at [http://www.dol.gov/ eta/regs/unifiedagenda/1205-AB55.htm]. CRS-2 The H-2A Program Under the H-2A program, employers may hire foreign workers to perform full- time temporary or seasonal agricultural work in the United States.2 Temporary or seasonal employment is work that is performed during certain seasons or periods of the year or for a period of less than a year. An H-2A worker may be hired to fill either a temporary or permanent job, but the employer's need for the worker must be temporary. An employer cannot hire an H-2A worker to fill a job that is vacant because of a strike or lockout. Before they can hire foreign workers, employers must apply to DOL for a certification that qualified U.S. workers are not available and that the employment of foreign workers will not adversely affect the wages and working conditions of similarly employed U.S. workers.3 The wages offered to U.S. workers must be at least the same as the wages offered to H-2A workers. For workers paid a piece rate, their average hourly earnings must equal or exceed the higher of the AEWR or prevailing wage rate. If the earnings of piece rate workers fall below the higher level, the employer must supplement the workers' pay to raise it to the higher rate. In addition to wage requirements, H-2A employers must meet minimum standards with respect to housing, transportation, meals, workers' compensation, and other requirements.4 Some temporary worker visas are subject to annual limits. The H-2A visa is not. From FY2000 to FY2007, the number of H-2A visas issued increased from 30,201 to 50,791.5 Although data are not available on the occupations of workers issued H-2A visas, information is available on the types of jobs that employers seek to fill with H- 2A workers. In FY2007, DOL certified (i.e., approved) 7,491 requests for H-2A workers. Most certification applications request permission to employ more than one foreign worker. DOL certified requests to hire 89,575 H-2A workers.6 On the basis 2 An H-2A worker is identified under 8 U.S.C. at 101(a)(15)(H)(ii)(a) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) as a nonimmigrant alien seeking temporary employment in the United States. 3 U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration, H-2A Certification for Temporary or Seasonal Agricultural Work, available at [http://www.foreignlaborcert. doleta.gov/h-2a.cfm]. (It is hereafter cited as Employment and Training Administration, H- 2A Certification for Temporary or Seasonal Agricultural Work.) 4 20 CFR, § 655.102(b)(9). Employment and Training Administration, H-2A Certification for Temporary or Seasonal Agricultural Work. 5 The number of H-2A visas issued in FY2007 is a preliminary count. For more information on the H-2A program, see CRS Report RL32044, Immigration: Policy Considerations Related to Guest Worker Programs, by Andorra Bruno. 6 The number of H-2A visas issued is different from the number of workers certified by DOL. After DOL issues a labor certification, the employer petitions the U.S. Citizenship (continued...) CRS-3 of our review of H-2A program data, it appears that most (76.7%) of the 89,575 H- 2A workers requested were for crop production. Another 5.0% of the requests were for livestock production and 3.8% were for equipment operators.7 Wage Requirements for H-2A Workers Employers must pay H-2A workers at least the highest of the prevailing wage, AEWR, or the applicable state or federal minimum wage. Prevailing Wages Prevailing wage rates are based on surveys funded by DOL and conducted by the states. The Employment and Training Administration (ETA) has established criteria for state prevailing wage surveys. A state must conduct a survey if H-2A workers were employed the previous season or if employers have requested or are expected to request H-2A workers for the current season. A state must also conduct a survey if 100 or more workers were employed during the previous season or are expected to be employed in the upcoming season. The surveys should only include U.S. workers employed in the same farm activity as H-2A workers. Employment and wage data are collected from a sample of employers. Information provided by employers is verified through worker interviews. The prevailing wage is the wage paid to at least 40% of domestic seasonal workers or, if no single rate accounts for 40% of workers, the prevailing wage is the wage paid to workers at the 51st percentile.8 States submit the results of their surveys to ETA. Prevailing wages may be hourly, monthly, or piece rates. For workers paid a piece rate, the workers' average hourly earnings must equal or exceed the higher of the AEWR or prevailing wage rate. If a worker's hourly piece rate earnings fall 6 (...continued) and Immigration Services (USCIS) to hire foreign workers. DOL's decision on the request for certification (whether approved or denied) is advisory to the USCIS. Also, an employer may hire fewer foreign workers than the number requested on the application for labor certification. 7 The remaining certifications were for occupations such as cook, bee keeper, or fish hatchery worker (1.5%). The specific occupation for 13.0% of certifications could not be identified. The source for this information is our analysis of FY2007 H-2A labor certifications from the U.S. Department of Labor, "H-2A Program Data," Foreign Labor Certification Online Wage Library and Data Center, available at [http://www.flcdatacenter. com/CaseData.aspx]. 8 If workers are ranked from the lowest to the highest paid, workers at the 51st percentile earn more than 50% of workers; 49% of workers earn more than the wage at the 51st percentile. U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration, H-2A Program Handbook, Handbook 398, January 1988, pp. II-1 to II-4. U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration, Employment Service Forms Preparation Handbook, Handbook 385, August 1981, pp. I-111 to I-143. CRS-4 below the higher level, the employer must supplement the worker's pay to raise it to the higher rate.9 The Adverse Effect Wage Rate Current Procedures. The current AEWR is based on data from the Farm Labor Survey (FLS), which is a quarterly survey conducted by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).10 The FLS provides estimates of the number of hired workers, average hours worked, and wages paid to workers employed on U.S. farms.11 Hired workers include field workers, livestock workers, supervisors, administrative employees, and other workers employed directly by farmers.12 Field and livestock workers include employees who operate farm equipment. Approximately 12,000 farms are surveyed each January, April, July, and October. The survey includes both full-time and part-time workers as well as workers who work either part-year or year-round. Wages consist of cash wages before taxes and other deductions. Wages paid on other than an hourly basis (e.g., a salary or piece rate) are converted to hourly rates. Average hourly wages are total wages by type of worker (i.e., crop, livestock, and all hired workers) divided by total hours worked. Wages do not include fringe benefits, bonuses, housing, or meals.13 USDA publishes annual estimates of average hourly wages for field and livestock workers in 15 regions. Separate estimates are published for California, Florida, and Hawaii. The 15 regions include 46 states. Alaska is not included in the survey. The AEWR is the weighted average hourly wage for field and livestock workers (combined) from the previous year's quarterly surveys. The AEWR is the same for each state within a region; for example, the AEWR is the same for Oregon and Washington. Similarly, the AEWR is the same for the six New England states 9 H-2A prevailing wage data are available, by state, at U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration, Agricultural Online Wage Library, available at [http://www.foreignlaborcert.doleta.gov/aowl.cfm]. 10 For more information on the AEWR, see "Labor Certification Process for the Temporary Employment of Aliens in Agriculture in the United States: Adverse Effect Wage Rate Methodology," Federal Register, vol. 54, no. 127, July 5, 1989, pp. 28037-28051. 11 For more information on the Farm Labor Survey, see U.S. Department of Agriculture, National Agriculture Statistics Service, "Farm Labor," Surveys, available at [http://www.nass.usda.gov/Surveys/Guide_to_NASS_Surveys/Farm_Labor/index.asp]. (It is hereafter cited as National Agriculture Statistics Service, "Farm Labor," Surveys.) 12 Field workers are employees who plant, tend, and harvest crops. Livestock workers tend livestock, milk cows, and care for poultry. U.S. Department of Agriculture, National Agriculture Statistics Service, Farm Labor, February 15, 2008, available at [usda.mannlib.cornell.edu/usda/nass/FarmLabo/2000s/2008/FarmLabo-02-15-2008.pdf], p. 12. (It is hereafter cited as National Agriculture Statistics Service, Farm Labor, February 15, 2008.) 13 U.S. Department of Agriculture, National Agriculture Statistics Service, Agricultural Labor Survey Interviewer's Manual, June 2005, pp. 104, 508-511. (It is hereafter cited as National Agriculture Statistics Service, Agricultural Labor Survey Interviewer's Manual.) CRS-5 and New York.14 Nationwide, there may be up to 18 different adverse effect wage rates (i.e., if the rates are different for each of the 15 regions and the three states that are reported separately). The FLS also collects information from about 600 employers who provide agricultural services to farmers (e.g., fruit or vegetable pickers supplied by a farm labor contractor) in California and Florida.15 The USDA only publishes estimates of the average hourly wages of agricultural service workers in these two states.16 Estimates of the hourly wages of agricultural service workers are not available for the 15 regions or Hawaii. Hence, the wages of agricultural service workers are not included in the calculation of the AEWR. On the basis of our review of H-2A program data, in FY2007, 93.3% of the wages for the 89,575 H-2A workers requested were the regional or state AEWR. The prevailing wage applied to 4.7% of workers requested. Most prevailing wages were monthly wage rates or piece rates. See Table 1. Table 1. Type of Wage Paid, FY2007 H-2A Certifications Type of Wage Number of Workers Percent of Workers AEWR 83,576 93.3% Prevailing wage 4,216 4.7% Not identified 1,783 2.0% Total 89,575 100.0% Source: CRS analysis of H-2A certifications for FY2007. All monthly wage rates were assumed to be prevailing wages. U.S. Department of Labor, "H-2A Program Data," Foreign Labor Certification Online Wage Library and Data Center, available at [http://www.flcdatacenter.com/CaseData.aspx]. The AEWRs for each state for the years 1990 through 2008 are shown in Table 2. Because the state is not included in the FLS, no AEWR is published for Alaska. In Alaska, employers must pay H-2A workers at least the higher of the prevailing wage or the applicable state or federal minimum wage.17 14 National Agriculture Statistics Service, Agricultural Labor Survey Interviewer's Manual, p. 105. Annual averages are published in the November Farm Labor report. 15 Service workers include contract laborers as well as harvesters who provide their own machinery, sheep shearers, milk testers, veterinarians, and others who provide services for a fee or under contract. National Agriculture Statistics Service, Farm Labor, February 15, 2008, p. 13. 16 National Agriculture Statistics Service, "Farm Labor," Surveys. 17 Since January 2003, the minimum wage in Alaska has been set at $7.15 an hour. State of Alaska, Division of Labor Standards and Safety, Minimum Wage Standard and Overtime Hours, available at [labor.state.ak.us/lss/whact.htm]. CRS-6 Table 2. Adverse Effect Wage Rates by State, 1990-2008 (in current dollars per hour) State a 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 Alabama $4.29 $4.46 $4.91 $5.04 $5.43 $5.66 $5.40 $5.92 $6.30 $6.30 $6.72 $6.83 $7.28 $7.49 $7.88 $8.07 $8.37 $8.51 $8.53 Arizona 4.61 4.87 5.17 5.37 5.52 5.80 5.87 5.82 6.08 6.42 6.74 6.71 7.12 7.61 7.54 7.63 8.00 8.27 8.70 Arkansas 4.04 4.40 4.73 4.87 5.26 5.19 5.27 5.70 5.98 6.21 6.50 6.69 6.77 7.13 7.38 7.80 7.58 8.01 8.41 California 5.90 5.81 5.90 6.11 6.03 6.24 6.26 6.53 6.87 7.23 7.27 7.56 8.02 8.44 8.50 8.56 9.00 9.20 9.72 Colorado 4.51 5.00 5.29 5.44 5.57 5.62 5.64 6.09 6.39 6.73 7.04 7.43 7.62 8.07 8.36 8.93 8.37 8.64 9.42 Connecticut 4.98 5.21 5.61 5.82 5.97 6.21 6.36 6.71 6.84 7.18 7.68 8.17 7.94 8.53 9.01 9.05 9.16 9.50 9.70 Delaware 4.89 4.93 5.39 5.81 5.92 5.81 5.97 6.26 6.33 6.84 7.04 7.37 7.46 7.97 8.52 8.48 8.95 9.29 9.70 Florida 5.16 5.38 5.68 5.91 6.02 6.33 6.54 6.36 6.77 7.13 7.25 7.66 7.69 7.78 8.18 8.07 8.56 8.56 8.82 Georgia 4.29 4.46 4.91 5.04 5.43 5.66 5.40 5.92 6.30 6.30 6.72 6.83 7.28 7.49 7.88 8.07 8.37 8.51 8.53 Hawaii 7.70 7.85 7.95 8.11 8.36 8.73 8.60 8.62 8.83 8.97 9.38 9.05 9.25 9.42 9.60 9.75 9.99 10.32 10.86 Idaho 4.49 4.79 4.94 5.25 5.59 5.57 5.76 6.01 6.54 6.48 6.79 7.26 7.43 7.70 7.69 8.20 8.47 8.76 8.74 Illinois 4.88 5.05 5.59 5.85 6.02 6.18 6.23 6.66 7.18 7.53 7.62 8.09 8.38 8.65 9.00 9.20 9.21 9.88 9.90 Indiana 4.88 5.05 5.59 5.85 6.02 6.18 6.23 6.66 7.18 7.53 7.62 8.09 8.38 8.65 9.00 9.20 9.21 9.88 9.90 Iowa 5.03 4.85 5.15 5.65 5.76 5.72 5.90 6.22 6.86 7.17 7.76 7.84 8.33 8.91 9.28 8.95 9.49 9.95 10.44 Kansas 5.17 5.20 5.36 5.78 6.03 5.99 6.29 6.55 7.01 7.12 7.49 7.81 8.24 8.53 8.83 9.00 9.23 9.55 9.90 Kentucky 4.45 4.56 5.04 5.09 5.29 5.47 5.54 5.68 5.92 6.28 6.39 6.60 7.07 7.20 7.63 8.17 8.24 8.65 9.13 Louisiana 4.04 4.40 4.73 4.87 5.26 5.19 5.27 5.70 5.98 6.21 6.50 6.69 6.77 7.13 7.38 7.80 7.58 8.01 8.41 Maine 4.98 5.21 5.61 5.82 5.97 6.21 6.36 6.71 6.84 7.18 7.68 8.17 7.94 8.53 9.01 9.05 9.16 9.50 9.70 Maryland 4.89 4.93 5.39 5.81 5.92 5.81 5.97 6.26 6.33 6.84 7.04 7.37 7.46 7.97 8.52 8.48 8.95 9.29 9.70 Massachusetts 4.98 5.21 5.61 5.82 5.97 6.21 6.36 6.71 6.84 7.18 7.68 8.17 7.94 8.53 9.01 9.05 9.16 9.50 9.70 Michigan 4.45 4.90 5.16 5.38 5.64 5.65 6.19 6.56 6.85 7.34 7.65 8.07 8.57 8.70 9.11 9.18 9.43 9.65 10.01 Minnesota 4.45 4.90 5.16 5.38 5.64 5.65 6.19 6.56 6.85 7.34 7.65 8.07 8.57 8.70 9.11 9.18 9.43 9.65 10.01 Mississippi 4.04 4.40 4.73 4.87 5.26 5.19 5.27 5.70 5.98 6.21 6.50 6.69 6.77 7.13 7.38 7.80 7.58 8.01 8.41 Missouri 5.03 4.85 5.15 5.85 5.76 5.72 5.90 6.22 6.86 7.17 7.76 7.84 8.33 8.91 9.28 8.95 9.49 9.95 10.44 Montana 4.49 4.79 4.94 5.25 5.59 5.57 5.76 6.01 6.54 6.48 6.79 7.26 7.43 7.70 7.69 8.20 8.47 8.76 8.74 Nebraska 5.17 5.20 5.36 5.78 6.03 5.99 6.29 6.55 7.01 7.12 7.49 7.81 8.24 8.53 8.83 9.00 9.23 9.55 9.90 Nevada 4.51 5.00 5.29 5.44 5.57 5.62 5.64 6.09 6.39 6.73 7.04 7.43 7.62 8.07 8.36 8.93 8.37 8.64 9.42 CRS-7 State a 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 New Hampshire 4.98 5.21 5.61 5.82 5.97 6.21 6.36 6.71 6.84 7.18 7.68 8.17 7.94 8.53 9.01 9.05 9.16 9.50 9.70 New Jersey 4.89 4.93 5.39 5.81 5.92 5.81 5.97 6.26 6.33 6.84 7.04 7.37 7.46 7.97 8.52 8.48 8.95 9.29 9.70 New Mexico 4.61 4.87 5.17 5.37 5.52 5.80 5.87 5.82 6.08 6.42 6.74 6.71 7.12 7.61 7.54 7.63 8.00 8.27 8.70 New York 4.98 5.21 5.61 5.82 5.97 6.21 6.36 6.71 6.84 7.18 7.68 8.17 7.94 8.53 9.01 9.05 9.16 9.50 9.70 North Carolina 4.33 4.50 4.97 5.07 5.38 5.50 5.80 5.79 6.16 6.54 6.98 7.06 7.53 7.75 8.06 8.24 8.51 9.02 8.85 North Dakota 5.17 5.20 5.36 5.78 6.03 5.99 6.29 6.55 7.01 7.12 7.49 7.81 8.24 8.53 8.83 9.00 9.23 9.55 9.90 Ohio 4.88 5.05 5.59 5.85 6.02 6.18 6.23 6.66 7.18 7.53 7.62 8.09 8.38 8.65 9.00 9.20 9.21 9.88 9.90 Oklahoma 4.65 4.61 4.87 5.01 4.98 5.32 5.50 5.48 5.92 6.25 6.49 6.98 7.28 7.29 7.73 7.89 8.32 8.66 9.02 Oregon 5.42 5.69 5.94 6.31 6.51 6.41 6.82 6.87 7.08 7.34 7.64 8.14 8.60 8.71 8.73 9.03 9.01 9.77 9.94 Pennsylvania 4.89 4.93 5.39 5.81 5.92 5.81 5.97 6.26 6.33 6.84 7.04 7.37 7.46 7.97 8.52 8.48 8.95 9.29 9.70 Rhode Island 4.98 5.21 5.61 5.82 5.97 6.21 6.36 6.71 6.84 7.18 7.68 8.17 7.94 8.53 9.01 9.05 9.16 9.50 9.70 South Carolina 4.29 4.46 4.91 5.04 5.43 5.66 5.40 5.92 6.30 6.30 6.72 6.83 7.28 7.49 7.88 8.07 8.37 8.51 8.53 South Dakota 5.17 5.20 5.36 5.78 6.03 5.99 6.29 6.55 7.01 7.12 7.49 7.81 8.24 8.53 8.83 9.00 9.23 9.55 9.90 Tennessee 4.45 4.56 5.04 5.09 5.29 5.47 5.54 5.68 5.92 6.28 6.39 6.60 7.07 7.20 7.63 8.17 8.24 8.65 9.13 Texas 4.65 4.61 4.87 5.01 4.98 5.32 5.50 5.48 5.92 6.25 6.49 6.98 7.28 7.29 7.73 7.89 8.32 8.66 9.02 Utah 4.51 5.00 5.29 5.44 5.57 5.62 5.64 6.09 6.39 6.73 7.04 7.43 7.62 8.07 8.36 8.93 8.37 8.64 9.42 Vermont 4.98 5.21 5.61 5.82 5.97 6.21 6.36 6.71 6.84 7.18 7.68 8.17 7.94 8.53 9.01 9.05 9.16 9.50 9.70 Virginia 4.33 4.50 4.97 5.07 5.38 5.50 5.80 5.79 6.16 6.54 6.98 7.06 7.53 7.75 8.06 8.24 8.51 9.02 8.85 Washington 5.42 5.69 5.94 6.31 6.51 6.41 6.82 6.87 7.08 7.34 7.64 8.14 8.60 8.71 8.73 9.03 9.01 9.77 9.94 West Virginia 4.45 4.56 5.04 5.09 5.29 5.47 5.54 5.68 5.92 6.28 6.39 6.60 7.07 7.20 7.63 8.17 8.24 8.65 9.13 Wisconsin 4.45 4.90 5.16 5.38 5.64 5.65 6.19 6.56 6.85 7.34 7.65 8.07 8.57 8.70 9.11 9.18 9.43 9.65 10.01 Wyoming 4.49 4.79 4.94 5.25 5.59 5.57 5.76 6.01 6.54 6.48 6.79 7.26 7.43 7.70 7.69 8.20 8.47 8.76 8.74 Source: Compiled from data provided by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration. See Federal Register, February 26, 2003, pp. 8929-8930; March 19, 2003, p. 13331; March 3, 2004, pp. 10063-10065; March 2, 2005, pp. 10152-10153; March 16, 2006, pp. 13633-13635; February 21, 2007, pp. 7909-7911; and February 26, 2008, pp. 10288-10290. a. Because it is not included in the Farm Labor Survey (FLS), an AEWR is not calculated for Alaska. CRS-8 A concern raised by some policymakers about the current procedures for determining the AEWR is that the FLS does not provide sufficient wage detail by area, occupation, or level of skill and experience required by employers. Currently, the AEWR applies equally to all crop workers, livestock workers, and farm equipment operators in a region or state. However, within a region or state, wages for the same occupation may vary because of differences in the cost of living or in the relative supply of or demand for workers. Proposed Procedures. On February 13, 2008, DOL published proposed changes to current regulations for the H-2A program.18 The proposed rule would change the way the AEWR is determined. Instead of using data from the Farm Labor Survey (FLS), the AEWR would be calculated using data from the Occupational Employment Statistics (OES) survey. Under the proposed rule, the AEWR could not be less than $7.25 an hour. According to DOL, the proposed change would better reflect the wages of farmworkers in local labor markets, as opposed to state or regional areas.19 Occupational Employment Statistics (OES) Survey. The OES survey is a cooperative effort between the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) and the state workforce agencies (SWAs). The survey collects information from approximately 200,000 establishments each May and November and provides wage estimates for workers in 801 occupations. Wages are defined as cash wages before taxes and other deductions. The survey includes both full-time and part-time employees. Published average hourly wages are based on data collected over a three-year period from 18 Congress has also considered legislation to change the AEWR. For example, in the 110th Congress, the Agricultural Job Opportunities, Benefits, and Security Act of 2007 (the AgJOBS Act; S. 237, S. 340, and H.R. 371) would freeze the AEWR in each state at the rates in effect on January 1, 2003. The AEWR would be frozen at those rates for three years. At the end of the three-year period, the rates would be adjusted each March. The first adjustment would be the lesser of the annual change, beginning with 2006, in the CPI-U or 4%. Subsequent annual adjustments would be the lesser of the change in the CPI-U or 4%. 19 U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration, "Temporary Agricultural Employment of H-2A Aliens in the United States; Modernizing the Labor Certification Process and Enforcement," Federal Register, vol. 73, February 13, 2008, pp. 8545, 8549-8552. (It is hereafter cited as Employment and Training Administration, Temporary Agricultural Employment of H-2A Aliens in the United States; Modernizing the Labor Certification Process and Enforcement.) The proposed rule would make several other changes to the H-2A program. For example, employers would no longer have to apply to DOL for a labor certification that qualified U.S. workers are not available and that the employment of foreign workers will not adversely affect the wages and working conditions of U.S. workers who are similarly employed. Instead, employers would have to "attest" to DOL that they have complied with all H-2A program requirements. Attestation is used in the H-1B professional speciality temporary worker program. For information on the H-1B program, see CRS Report RL30498, Immigration: Legislative Issues on Nonimmigrant Professional Specialty (H-1B) Workers, by Ruth Ellen Wasem. CRS-9 approximately 1.2 million establishments.20 The survey does not include farmers. Instead, it includes employers involved in agricultural support activities. These are activities performed by contractors or for a fee, and include soil preparation, planting, harvesting, and management.21 Wage data from the OES survey are available by state, metropolitan statistical area (MSA), and "balance of state" areas (BOS), which are areas that are not part of an MSA.22 The Four Wage Levels Calculated from the OES Survey. According to the proposed H-2A regulations, the AEWR would be based on published wage data from the Foreign Labor Certification (FLC) Data Center of DOL.23 Using data from the OES survey, the FLC Data Center provides four levels of wages based on the skill, experience, education, and supervisory duties required for a job. Level I workers are entry-level workers who perform routine tasks that require limited exercise of judgment. Level IV workers generally have management or supervisory duties.24 The four wage levels are currently used in the H-2B temporary nonagricultural worker program. The Level I and IV hourly wages available from the FLC Data Center are calculated by BLS directly from OES wage data. For each occupation and area, the Level I wage is the average wage for the bottom third of the earnings distribution. The Level IV wage is the average of the top two-thirds of the earnings distribution. 20 Published average hourly wages are based on information collected from the six most recent May and November survey samples. Wages from the first five samples are adjusted for inflation to produce average hourly wages in constant dollars. U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wages, 2006, available at [stats.bls.gov/news.release/pdf/ocwage.pdf], Technical note. 21 U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment Statistics, available at [http://www.bls.gov/OES]. U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wages, May 2005, Bulletin 2585, available at [stats.bls.gov/oes/oes_pub_2005.htm], pp. 252-255. U.S. Census Bureau, North American Industry Classification System (NAICS), available at [http://www.census.gov/epcd/www/ naics.html], NAICS Code 11. 22 An MSA consists of an urban center (or centers) and adjacent communities that have a high degree of economic and social integration. Executive Office of the President, Office of Management and Budget, Metropolitan Statistical Areas, Metropolitan Divisions, Micropolitan Statistical Areas, Combined Statistical Areas, New England City and Town Areas, and Combined New England City and Town Areas, OMB Bulletin No. 08-01, available at [http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/bulletins/fy2008/b08-01.pdf], Appendix, p. 2. (It is hereafter cited at Office of Management and Budget, Metropolitan Statistical Areas.) 23 Employment and Training Administration, Temporary Agricultural Employment of H-2A Aliens in the United States; Modernizing the Labor Certification Process and Enforcement, p. 8574. 24 U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration, Prevailing Wage Determination Policy Guidance, Non-Agricultural Immigration Programs, May 9, 2005, available at [http://www.foreignlaborcert.doleta.gov/pdf/Policy_Nonag_Progs.pdf], p. 7. (It is hereafter cited as U.S. Department of Labor, Prevailing Wage Determination Policy Guidance, Non-Agricultural Immigration Programs.) CRS-10 The Level II and Level III wages are then calculated from the Level I and IV wages. The Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2005 (H.R. 4818, P.L. 108-447) amended the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) to say that "Where an existing government survey has only 2 levels, 2 intermediate levels may be created by dividing by 3, the difference between the 2 levels offered, adding the quotient thus obtained to the first level and subtracting that quotient from the second level."25 Farm Wages from the OES Survey. The OES survey collects wage information, and the FLC Data Center provides four wage levels, for the nine farming occupations listed below. The estimated wages for farming occupations are based on data collected from employers in agricultural support activities. ! First-line supervisors or managers of farming, fishing, and forestry workers, ! Farm labor contractors, ! Agricultural inspectors, ! Animal breeders, ! Graders and sorters, agricultural products, ! Agricultural equipment operators, ! Farmworkers and laborers: crop, nursery, and greenhouse, ! Farmworkers: farm and ranch animals, ! Agricultural workers, all other.26 Currently, there are 363 MSAs in the United States.27 If OES wage data were available for all MSAs, all nine farming occupations, and at four wage levels, wage data from the OES survey could provide over 13,000 adverse effect wage rates nationwide (including Alaska, but not including balance of state -- that is, non-MSA -- areas). The actual number of AEWRs that would be available from the OES survey may be smaller, however. If the OES survey sample for an area is too small, wage data may not be available for all farming occupations in the area. Compared to the FLS, the OES survey provides wage information for more geographic areas and more farming occupations. In addition, the FLC Data Center provides wage rates at four levels of skill and experience. However, one of the concerns raised about the OES survey is that it does not collect wage information from farmers engaged directly in crop or livestock production. Instead, it collects wage information from employers in agricultural support activities. These employers include labor contractors who hire workers to harvest crops or tend livestock. 25 To illustrate the four wage levels, assume that the Level I and Level IV hourly wage rates estimated from OES wage data are $10.00 and $22.00, respectively. The difference between the Level IV and Level I wage is $12.00. Dividing this difference by three and adding the result to the Level I wage yields a Level II wage of $14.00 (i.e., $12.00 ÷ 3 = $4.00. $10.00 + $4.00 = $14.00). Subtracting the result from the Level IV wage yields a Level III wage of $18.00 (i.e., $22.00 - $4.00 = $18.00). 26 Detailed descriptions of these occupations are available at the U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, Farming, Fishing, and Forestry Occupations, available at [http://www.bls.gov/soc/soc_r0a0.htm]. 27 Office of Management and Budget, Metropolitan Statistical Areas, p. 3. CRS-11 Potential Effects of the Proposed Change in the AEWR DOL's proposed regulations would not change the existing requirement that H- 2A workers must be paid at least the highest of the adverse effect wage rate (AEWR), the prevailing wage, or the applicable federal or state minimum wage. The proposed rule would, however, change the way the AEWR is determined. This section compares the current AEWR to the current federal and state minimum wage rates and then examines some of the potential effects of the proposed change in the way the AEWR is calculated. Federal and State Minimum Wage Rates The current basic federal minimum wage is $6.55 an hour. It is scheduled to rise to $7.25 an hour in July 2009.28 The federal minimum wage applies to most agricultural employees. Exemptions apply to small agricultural employers, immediate family members, workers engaged in the production of livestock on the range, and certain hand harvesters.29 Several states have minimum wage rates that are higher than the federal minimum wage. When the state minimum wage is higher than the federal minimum wage, the higher state wage generally applies. As of July 24, 2008, among the 49 states with an AEWR (i.e., excluding Alaska), 23 states have a minimum wage that is higher than the federal minimum wage. Table 3 compares the current AEWR by state with the current federal minimum wage of $6.55 and each state's minimum wage. All minimum wage rates are effective as of July 24, 2008. In each state, the current AEWR, as calculated from the FLS, is higher than either the federal or state minimum wage. In addition, in each state, the current AEWR is higher than the proposed minimum AEWR of $7.25. 28 On May 25, 2007, President George W. Bush signed into law the U.S. Troop Readiness, Veterans' Care, Katrina Recovery, and Iraq Accountability Appropriations Act, 2007 (H.R. 2206, P.L. 110-28). Title VIII, Subtitle A, the Fair Minimum Wage Act of 2007, raised the basic federal minimum wage, in steps, from $5.15 to $7.25 an hour. 29 U.S. Department of Labor, Employment Standards Administration, Agricultural Employers Under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), available at [http://www.dol.gov/ esa/whd/regs/compliance/whdfs12.pdf]. CRS-12 Table 3. Comparisons of the Current Adverse Effect Wage Rates with Federal and State Minimum Wage Rates (as of July 24, 2008) Amount by Which the Amount by AEWR Exceeds Which the Adverse Effect State the Federal AEWR Exceeds Wage Rate Minimum Minimum Wage the State State (AEWR) Wage Of $6.55 an Hour Minimum Wage Alabama $8.53 N.A. $1.98 $8.53 Arizona 8.70 $6.90 2.15 1.80 Arkansas 8.41 6.25 1.86 2.16 California 9.72 8.00 3.17 1.72 Colorado 9.42 7.02 2.87 2.40 Connecticut 9.70 7.65 3.15 2.05 Delaware 9.70 7.15 3.15 2.55 Florida 8.82 6.79 2.27 2.03 Georgia 8.53 5.15 1.98 3.38 Hawaii 10.86 7.25 4.31 3.61 Idaho 8.74 6.55 2.19 2.19 Illinois 9.90 7.75 3.35 2.15 Indiana 9.90 6.55 3.35 3.35 Iowa 10.44 7.25 3.89 3.19 Kansas 9.90 2.65 3.35 7.25 Kentucky 9.13 6.55 2.58 2.58 Louisiana 8.41 N.A. 1.86 8.41 Maine 9.70 7.00 3.15 2.70 Maryland 9.70 6.55 3.15 3.15 Massachusetts 9.70 8.00 3.15 1.70 Michigan 10.01 7.40 3.46 2.61 Minnesota 10.01 6.15 3.46 3.86 Mississippi 8.41 N.A. 1.86 8.41 Missouri 10.44 6.65 3.89 3.79 Montana 8.74 6.55 2.19 2.19 Nebraska 9.90 6.55 3.35 3.35 Nevada 9.42 6.85 2.87 2.57 New Hampshire 9.70 6.50 3.15 3.20 New Jersey 9.70 7.15 3.15 2.55 New Mexico 8.70 6.50 2.15 2.20 New York 9.70 7.15 3.15 2.55 North Carolina 8.85 6.55 2.30 2.30 North Dakota 9.90 6.55 3.35 3.35 Ohio 9.90 7.00 3.35 2.90 Oklahoma 9.02 6.55 2.47 2.47 Oregon 9.94 7.95 3.39 1.99 Pennsylvania 9.70 7.15 3.15 2.55 Rhode Island 9.70 7.40 3.15 2.30 CRS-13 Amount by Which the Amount by AEWR Exceeds Which the Adverse Effect State the Federal AEWR Exceeds Wage Rate Minimum Minimum Wage the State State (AEWR) Wage Of $6.55 an Hour Minimum Wage South Carolina 8.53 N.A. 1.98 8.53 South Dakota 9.90 6.55 3.35 3.35 Tennessee 9.13 N.A. 2.58 9.13 Texas 9.02 6.55 2.47 2.47 Utah 9.42 6.55 2.87 2.87 Vermont 9.70 7.68 3.15 2.02 Virginia 8.85 6.55 2.30 2.30 Washington 9.94 8.07 3.39 1.87 West Virginia 9.13 7.25 2.58 1.88 Wisconsin 10.01 6.50 3.46 3.51 Wyoming 8.74 5.15 2.19 3.59 Source: Federal Register, vol. 73, no. 38, February 26, 2008, pp. 10288-10290, and the U.S. Department of Labor, Minimum Wage Laws in the States, July 24, 2008, available at [http://www.dol.gov/esa/minwage/america.htm]. Minimum wage coverage in some states varies by size of employer. Note: N.A. means that a state does not have a state minimum wage. Potential Effects of the Proposed Rule on the Wages and Employment of Farmworkers in the United States This section examines some of the potential effects on farmworker wages and employment if DOL implements the proposed change in the way the AEWR is determined. Preview of the Findings. Under the proposed rule, in most areas both the minimum AEWR of $7.25 and the OES Level I wage (for entry level workers) would be lower than the current AEWR. In some areas, however, the Level I wage would be higher than the current AEWR. On the other hand, in most areas, the Level III and IV OES wages for livestock workers and farm equipment operators would be higher than the current AEWR. Compared to the current AEWR, the proposed AEWR is more likely to be lower for crop workers than for livestock workers or farm equipment operators. In some areas, the prevailing wage could become the highest of the AEWR, prevailing wage, or minimum wage. In some areas in some states, the state minimum wage could become the highest of the three wage rates. In areas where the proposed rule would lower the wages that employers must offer H-2A workers, the rule should create an incentive for employers to hire more H-2A, as opposed to unauthorized, workers. In areas where the rule would increase the wages that employers must offer H-2A workers, the rule would probably not CRS-14 create an incentive to hire more H-2A workers. On the other hand, in areas where the rule would increase the wages of H-2A workers, it should create an incentive for employers to hire more U.S. workers. However, in areas where the rule would lower the wages that employers must offer H-2A workers, it could lower the wages employers offer U.S. workers. Methodology and Assumptions. In order to analyze the potential effects of the proposed rule on the wages and employment of farmworkers, it would be necessary to compare the AEWR under current procedures with the AEWR under the proposed rule. This section uses administrative data from employer requests for H- 2A workers, OES wage data from the FLC Data Center, and prevailing wage data from ETA to analyze the potential impact of the proposed rule. The analysis compares the current AEWR for crop and livestock workers (combined), as calculated from the FLS, with the four wage levels of three occupations from the OES survey: (1) farmworkers and laborers: crop, nursery, and greenhouse production, (2) farmworkers: farm and ranch animals, and (3) equipment operators. It is assumed that, under the proposed rule, these three occupations would be used to determine the AEWR for crop workers, livestock workers, and farm equipment operators. The analysis also compares the hourly AEWR under the proposed rule with hourly prevailing wage for the same area and occupation. The analysis is based on labor certifications for five states. These states were chosen because they are the five top states in terms of the number of H-2A workers requested in FY2007. Together, the five states accounted for 43.7% of the H-2A workers requested. The states are North Carolina (17.9%), Georgia, (8.0%), Louisiana (6.1%), Florida (6.0%), and Kentucky (5.7%). Wage data from the OES survey are available by metropolitan statistical area (MSA) and areas that are called "balance of state" (BOS), which are areas that are not part of an MSA. At the FLC Data Center, these areas are called "BLS areas." For each state, the BLS areas encompass all of the counties in a state. OES wage data can be retrieved by county or BLS area.30 If the OES sample is sufficiently large, wage rates are available at four levels of skill and experience for each farming occupation in each BLS area. The analysis presented here compares the current AEWR with the proposed minimum AEWR of $7.25, the OES Level I, II, III, and IV wages, the prevailing wage, and state minimum wage rates. Under the proposed rule, the actual wage that would apply to an individual worker would depend on the occupation and the level of skill and experience required by an employer for the job. Thus, any of the four OES wage levels, the prevailing wage, or the minimum wage could become the highest of the wage rates that employers must offer to H-2A workers. The discussion 30 The four OES wage levels are available by area and occupation at the U.S. Department of Labor, Foreign Labor Certification Data Center, Online Wage Library, available at [http://www.flcdatacenter.com/OesWizardStart.aspx]. CRS-15 below of findings and the analysis of the potential effects of the proposed rule highlight workers who would be paid the minimum $7.25 AEWR or the OES Level I wage. More emphasis is placed on these workers because it is assumed that the majority of H-2A workers are entry-level workers. Findings. The results of the analysis of the effect of the proposed rule on the AEWR are summarized in Tables 4 through 7. For each of the five states chosen, Table 4 shows the number of BLS areas where the OES Level I wage is less than or equal to the current AEWR (column 3) and the number of areas where the proposed Level I AEWR is higher than the current AEWR (column 6). The number of areas where the proposed AEWR would be less than or equal to the current AEWR is separated into two groups: Column 4 shows the number of BLS areas where the proposed minimum AEWR of $7.25 is lower than the current AEWR and column 5 shows the number of areas where the OES Level I wage is more than $7.25 an hour, but less than or equal to the current AEWR. Tables 5 through 7 are similar to Table 4, except they compare the current AEWR to the OES Levels II, III, and IV wages for each state, area, and occupation. Tables 13 though 16 in the Appendix show the prevailing wage rates for North Carolina, Georgia, Florida, and Kentucky. No prevailing wage rates are currently available for Louisiana. In general, the results show the following. ! In most areas, the $7.25 minimum AEWR and the OES Level I wage for crop workers, livestock workers, and farm equipment operators are lower than the current AEWR.31 For example, for cropworkers in North Carolina, the OES Level I wage is lower than the current AEWR in 18 of 19 BLS areas (compare columns 2 and 3 in Table 4). ! In many areas, the $7.25 minimum AEWR is lower than the current AEWR. For example, in Georgia, the $7.25 minimum AEWR is lower than the current AEWR in 15 of 19 BLS areas. Assuming the $7.25 wage would not be adjusted for inflation (as wages rise due to inflation, increased productivity, or both), as time passes the $7.25 wage would apply to fewer areas. ! The minimum $7.25 AEWR and the OES Level I wage are more likely to be lower than the current AEWR for crop workers than for livestock workers or farm equipment operators. For example, for crop workers, the $7.25 minimum AEWR is lower than the current AEWR in 51 of the 83 total BLS areas represented in Table 4 -- 31 According to current rules, a wage determination that uses the four OES wage levels from the FLC Data Center begins with a Level I, or entry level, wage. For jobs that require greater skills or more experience, a higher wage applies. U.S. Department of Labor, Prevailing Wage Determination Policy Guidance, Non-Agricultural Immigration Programs, pp. 3, 7. CRS-16 compared to livestock workers in 27 areas and farm equipment operators in 24 areas. ! In some areas, the OES Level I wage is higher than the current AEWR. For example, for equipment operators, the OES Level I wage is higher than the current AEWR in 22 of the 83 BLS areas shown in Table 4. Half of these 22 areas are in Kentucky. (See column 6.) ! In most areas, the Level III and IV OES wages for livestock workers and farm equipment operators are higher than the current AEWR. For example, the Level IV wage for equipment operators is higher than the current AEWR in all 83 wage areas shown in Table 7. For livestock workers, the Level IV wage is higher than the current AEWR in 80 of 83 areas. On the other hand, in 13 of 83 areas, the Level IV wage for crop workers is lower than the current AEWR. ! In some areas, the prevailing wage could become the highest of the AEWR, the prevailing wage, or the applicable minimum wage. For example, in Greenville, North Carolina, the prevailing wage for tobacco harvesters is $7.50 an hour. (See Table 13.) This is less than the current AEWR of $8.85 but higher than the proposed minimum AEWR of $7.25 or the Level I, II, or III OES wages for crop workers in the Greenville MSA. Similarly, in Brunswick and Valdosta (i.e., southern), Georgia, the prevailing wage of $8.00 an hour for tractor drivers is less than the current AEWR of $8.53 but higher than the Level I or II OES wages for equipment operators. (See Tables 9 and 14.) ! Finally, in some areas in some states, the state minimum wage could become the highest wage that employers must offer to H-2A workers. In none of the five states studied here is the state minimum wage higher than the $7.25 minimum AEWR. But, as of July 24, 2008, nine states have minimum wages that are higher than the minimum $7.25 AEWR. Whether the state minimum wage would apply to an H-2A worker would depend on whether it is higher than the prevailing wage or the OES wage for the job. Comparison of the AEWR Based on the FLS Versus OES Survey. The current AEWR may overestimate the wages of crop workers and underestimate the wages of livestock workers and farm equipment operators. Except for equipment operators in Kentucky, the $7.25 minimum AEWR and the OES Level I wage for the three occupations shown in Table 4 are generally lower than the current AEWR. For example, in Georgia, the OES Level I wage for livestock workers is lower than the current AEWR in all 19 BLS areas (compare columns 2 and 3). In Florida, the Level I wage for equipment operators is lower than the current AEWR in 17 of 20 BLS areas. CRS-17 In general, the OES Level II wage for crop workers is also lower than the current AEWR. See Table 5. This is not the case, however, for livestock workers or farm equipment operators. With some exceptions (e.g., livestock workers in parts of Louisiana and Kentucky and equipment operators in parts of Georgia), the Level II wages for livestock workers and farm equipment operators are generally higher than the current AEWR. The same is true for both the Level III and Level IV wages. Thus, the proposed rule may have more of an adverse effect on the wages of crop workers than on the wages of either livestock workers or equipment operators. Potential Effects of the Proposed Regulation on the Wages and Employment of Farmworkers. If the proposed rule is implemented as written, its effect on the wages and employment of farmworkers would depend on a number of factors. First, the rule may either raise or lower the wages employers must offer H-2A workers. Second, the effect of the rule may vary by area and occupation. The effect on the wages and employment of crop workers may be different from the effect on livestock workers or farm equipment operators. The effect may be different in labor markets where local wages are above or below the current AEWR. Finally, the effect of the rule may be different for three groups of workers: unauthorized farmworkers, H-2A workers, and U.S. workers.32 Effect of the Proposed Rule on Wages. Under the proposed rule, employers would have to offer H-2A workers at least the highest of the minimum AEWR of $7.25, the OES wage level that applies to the job, the prevailing wage, or the state minimum wage. (Under current law, the federal minimum wage is not scheduled to increase to more than $7.25 an hour.) Depending on local wages for the occupation, skill, and experience that employers require for a job, the wage that employers would have to offer H-2A workers under the proposed rule may be lower or higher than the wage that employers must offer under current regulations. Under the proposed rule, for employers who hire mainly entry level workers, the minimum AEWR of $7.25, the OES Level I or Level II wage, the prevailing wage, or the state minimum wage would likely apply. Nevertheless, for some occupations in some areas, even the Level I or Level II wage would be higher than the current AEWR. The current AEWR is higher than the state minimum wage in all states. On the other hand, as of July 24, 2008, the state minimum wage is greater than the minimum AEWR of $7.25 in nine states. Whether the state minimum wage would apply to H- 2A workers in these states would depend on whether it is higher than either the proposed AEWR or the prevailing wage. For those H-2A workers who qualify for Level III or Level IV OES wages, the AEWR would likely be higher than the wage that applies under current regulations. In most areas, the Level III and IV wages for livestock workers and farm equipment operators are higher than the current AEWR. On the other hand, in some areas, even the Level III or Level IV wage, especially for crop workers, would be lower than the current AEWR. 32 U.S. workers include American citizens as well as foreign persons who have been legally admitted to the United States. CRS-18 Effect of the Proposed Rule on Employment. The effect of the proposed rule on the demand for H-2A versus unauthorized workers may vary depending on whether the rule lowers or raises the wages employers must offer H-2A workers. In FY2007, 50,791 H-2A temporary agricultural worker visas were issued. At the end of FY2007, an estimated 1.1 million hired farmworkers were employed on U.S. farms and ranches.33 According to findings from the National Agricultural Workers Survey (NAWS), as many as half of crop workers on U.S. farms are not authorized to work in the United States.34 Thus, the available data suggest that U.S. farmers and farm labor contractors employ more unauthorized crop workers than H- 2A workers. Under the proposed rule, the AEWR should more closely reflect the wages of farmworkers in local labor markets. In labor markets with a large concentration of unauthorized farmworkers, wage data from the OES survey may, to some extent, reflect the wages paid to unauthorized workers.35 For employers who hire mainly entry-level workers, the proposed rule may lower the wages employers must offer H- 2A workers and could create an incentive for employers to hire more legal, as opposed to unauthorized, foreign farmworkers. On the other hand, the rule may not increase the incentive for employers to hire H-2A workers if it raises the wages employers must offer H-2A workers. Similarly, the effect of the proposed rule on the employment of U.S. workers may depend on whether it raises or lowers the wages of foreign, as opposed to U.S., workers. The relative cost of benefits may also affect the demand for foreign and U.S. workers. Although U.S. workers are entitled to the same benefits as H-2A workers, employer costs for housing and transportation may be greater for H-2A than U.S. workers (e.g., if U.S. workers live within commuting distance of a job).36 Thus, the effect of the proposed rule on the employment of U.S. workers may depend on how the rule changes the relative cost (i.e., wages and benefits) of foreign versus U.S. workers. 33 According to the FLS, an estimated of 1,122,000 hired farmworkers were employed on U.S. farms and ranches during the week of October 7-13, 2007. Farmworkers include field and livestock workers employed directly by farmers and by agricultural service providers. U.S. Department of Agriculture, National Agriculture Statistics Service, Farm Labor, November 16, 2007, available at [usda.mannlib.cornell.edu/usda/nass/FarmLabo/2000s/ 2007/FarmLabo-11-16-2007.pdf], p. 1. 34 U.S. Department of Labor, Findings from the National Agricultural Workers Survey (NAWS) 2001-2002, Research Report No. 9, March 2005, available at [http://www.doleta. gov/agworker/report9/naws_rpt9.pdf], p. 6. 35 Wage estimates based on information collected from a sample of employers are subject to sampling error. Because the wage estimates from both the FLS and OES surveys are based on a sample of employers, a survey of all employers may yield different results. 36 Employment and Training Administration, Temporary Agricultural Employment of H-2A Aliens in the United States; Modernizing the Labor Certification Process and Enforcement, p. 8552. CRS-19 Other factors may also affect the relative supply of or demand for foreign farmworkers, including increased enforcement of U.S. immigration law and changes in economic conditions in the United States and elsewhere. It may be difficult, however, to separate the effects of these, and other, changes from the effect of the proposed rule on hourly wages. Table 4. The Number of BLS Areas Where the Proposed AEWR, Using OES Level I Wage Rates, Would be Less Than or Greater Than the Current AEWR: A Comparison of Five States Number of BLS Areas Where the Proposed AEWR Would Be Less Than the Current AEWR Number of Areas Number of Where the BLS Areas Proposed AEWR Where the Number of Would Be Proposed Areas Where Greater Than AEWR Would the $7.25 $7.25 but Less Be Greater Minimum Than or Than the Number of AEWR Would Equal to the Current State BLS Areas Total Apply Current AEWR AEWR (1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6) Farmworkers and Laborers: Crop, Nursery, and Greenhouse North Carolina 19 18 11 7 1 Georgia 19 18 15 3 1 Louisiana 12 12 8 4 0 Florida 20 18 10 8 2 Kentucky 13 a 12 7 5 0 Farmworkers: Farm and Ranch Animals North Carolina 19 16 0 16 3 Georgia 19 19 7 12 0 Louisiana 12 11 10 b 1 1 Florida 20 18 2 16 2 Kentucky 13 11 8 3 2 Equipment Operators North Carolina 19 16 8 8 3 Georgia 19 16 15 1 3 Louisiana 12 10 0 10 2 Florida 20 17 1 16 3 Kentucky 13 2 0 2c 11 Source: CRS calculations based on the assumptions outlined in the text of this report. The Level I OES wage rates by state and BLS area are shown in the Appendix. a. For one of the BLS areas in Kentucky, no OES data for crop workers are available for the period. b. For one of the BLS areas in Louisiana, the OES Level I wage for livestock workers is $7.25, the same as the floor for the proposed AEWR. c. For one of the BLS areas in Kentucky, the OES Level I wage for equipment operators is $9.13, the same as the current AEWR. CRS-20 Table 5. The Number of BLS Areas Where the Proposed AEWR, Using OES Level II Wage Rates, Would be Less Than or Greater Than the Current AEWR: A Comparison of Five States Number of BLS Areas Where the Proposed AEWR Would Be Less Than the Current AEWR Number of Areas Number of Where the BLS Areas Proposed AEWR Where the Number of Would Be Proposed Areas Where Greater Than AEWR Would the $7.25 $7.25 but Less Be Greater Minimum Than or Than the Number of AEWR Would Equal to the Current State BLS Areas Total Apply Current AEWR AEWR (1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6) Farmworkers and Laborers: Crop, Nursery, and Greenhouse North Carolina 19 14 4 10 5 Georgia 19 17 5 12 2 Louisiana 12 7 2 5 5 Florida 20 11 0 11 9 Kentucky 13 a 10 0 10 2 Farmworkers: Farm and Ranch Animals North Carolina 19 4 0 4 15 Georgia 19 4 0 4 15 Louisiana 12 9 0 9 3 Florida 20 3 0 3 17 Kentucky 13 10 1 9 3 Equipment Operators North Carolina 19 5 0 5 14 Georgia 19 14 2 12 5 Louisiana 12 0 0 0 12 Florida 20 2 0 2 18 Kentucky 13 0 0 0 13 Sources: CRS calculations based on the assumptions outlined in the text of this report. The Level II OES wage rates by state, BLS area, and wage level are shown in the Appendix. a. For one of the BLS areas in Kentucky, no OES data for crop workers are available for the period. CRS-21 Table 6. The Number of BLS Areas Where the Proposed AEWR, Using OES Level III Wage Rates, Would be Less Than or Greater Than the Current AEWR: A Comparison of Five States Number of BLS Areas Where the Proposed AEWR Would Be Less Than the Current AEWR Number of Areas Number of Where the BLS Areas Proposed AEWR Where the Number of Would Be Proposed Areas Where Greater Than AEWR Would the $7.25 $7.25 but Less Be Greater Minimum Than or Than the Number of AEWR Would Equal to the Current State BLS Areas Total Apply Current AEWR AEWR (1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6) Farmworkers and Laborers: Crop, Nursery, and Greenhouse North Carolina 19 9 0 9 10 Georgia 19 8 0 8 11 Louisiana 12 2 1 1 10 Florida 20 6 0 6 14 Kentucky 13 a 6 0 6 6 Farmworkers: Farm and Ranch Animals North Carolina 19 0 0 0 19 Georgia 19 2 0 2 17 Louisiana 12 3 0 3 9 Florida 20 0 0 0 20 Kentucky 13 6 0 6 7 Equipment Operators North Carolina 19 0 0 0 19 Georgia 19 4 0 4b 15 Louisiana 12 0 0 0 12 Florida 20 0 0 0 20 Kentucky 13 0 0 0 13 Source: CRS calculations based on the assumptions outlined in the text of this report. The Level III OES wage rates by state and BLS area are shown in the Appendix. a. For one of the BLS areas in Kentucky, no OES data for crop workers are available for the period. b. For one of the BLS areas in Georgia, the OES Level III wage for equipment operators is $8.53, the same as the current AEWR. CRS-22 Table 7. The Number of BLS Areas Where the Proposed AEWR, Using OES Level IV Wage Rates, Would be Less Than or Greater Than the Current AEWR: A Comparison of Five States Number of BLS Areas Where the Proposed AEWR Would Be Less Than Number of the Current AEWR BLS Areas Number of Areas Where the Number of Where Proposed Proposed Areas Where AEWR Would AEWR Would the $7.25 Be Greater Than Be Greater Minimum $7.25 but Less Than the Number of AEWR Would Than or Equal to Current State BLS Areas Total Apply Current AEWR AEWR (1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6) Farmworkers and Laborers: Crop, Nursery, and Greenhouse North Carolina 19 6 0 6 13 Georgia 19 5 0 5 14 Louisiana 12 1 1 0 11 Florida 20 1 0 1 19 a Kentucky 13 0 0 0 12 Farmworkers: Farm and Ranch Animals North Carolina 19 0 0 0 19 Georgia 19 0 0 0 19 Louisiana 12 1 0 1 11 Florida 20 0 0 0 20 Kentucky 13 2 0 2 11 Equipment Operators North Carolina 19 0 0 0 19 Georgia 19 0 0 0 19 Louisiana 12 0 0 0 12 Florida 20 0 0 0 20 Kentucky 13 0 0 0 13 Sources: CRS calculations based on the assumptions outlined in the text of this report. The Level IV OES wage rates by state, BLS area, and wage level are shown in the Appendix. a. For one of the BLS areas in Kentucky, no OES data for crop workers are available for the period. CRS-23 Appendix Tables 8 through 12 show the four wage levels calculated from the OES survey for each of the BLS areas in five states: North Carolina, Georgia, Louisiana, Florida, and Kentucky. BLS areas consist of MSAs and areas within a state that are not part of an MSA. BLS areas encompass all of the counties in a state. The wage rates are effective for the period July 2008 through June 2009. Tables 13 though 16 show the prevailing wage rates for North Carolina, Georgia, Florida, and Kentucky. No prevailing wage rates are currently available for Louisiana. The prevailing wage rates apply to work scheduled for the years 2008 to 2009. CRS-24 Table 8. The Four Hourly Wage Levels from the OES Survey for the State of North Carolina, Effective July 2008 Through June 2009 Farmworkers and Laborers: Farmworkers: Crop, Nursery, and Greenhouse Farm and Ranch Animals Equipment Operators BLS area Level I Level II Level III Level IV Level I Level II Level III Level IV Level I Level II Level III Level IV Asheville $10.68 $11.07 $11.46 $11.85 $7.69 $8.47 $9.26 $10.04 6.97 8.58 10.19 11.80 Balance of State (BOS) 1 6.95 7.26 7.57 7.88 7.90 8.94 9.99 11.03 6.71 8.15 9.60 11.04 Balance of State (BOS) 2 6.76 7.13 7.51 7.88 8.91 9.64 10.38 11.11 8.13 9.37 10.61 11.85 Balance of State (BOS) 3 6.78 7.70 8.61 9.53 8.38 8.75 9.12 9.49 8.18 9.84 11.49 13.15 Balance of State (BOS) 4 8.32 9.44 10.57 11.69 8.18 8.65 9.12 9.59 10.26 12.80 15.33 17.87 Burlington 7.74 8.62 9.51 10.39 8.42 8.81 9.20 9.59 6.97 8.58 10.19 11.80 Charlotte-Gastonia-Concord 7.37 8.44 9.51 10.58 8.00 8.49 8.99 9.48 6.97 8.58 10.19 11.80 Durham 6.77 7.50 8.23 8.96 8.23 9.14 10.05 10.96 8.18 9.66 11.13 12.61 Fayetteville 7.96 8.42 8.87 9.33 8.12 8.90 9.67 10.45 8.15 9.44 10.72 12.01 Goldsboro 6.82 8.03 9.24 10.45 8.54 9.48 10.42 11.36 8.15 9.64 11.14 12.63 Greensboro-High Point 7.57 8.21 8.86 9.50 8.40 9.12 9.84 10.56 8.15 9.46 10.78 12.09 Greenville 6.79 7.13 7.46 7.80 8.47 9.54 10.60 11.67 6.88 8.35 9.81 11.28 Hickory-Lenior-Morgantown 8.51 9.60 10.68 11.77 8.17 8.54 8.92 9.29 10.26 12.80 15.33 17.87 Jacksonville 6.79 7.16 7.53 7.90 8.92 9.70 10.47 11.25 6.95 8.40 9.84 11.29 Raleigh-Cary 8.05 8.82 9.59 10.36 7.62 9.28 10.94 12.60 6.91 8.39 9.88 11.36 Rocky Mount 6.79 7.32 7.85 8.38 7.29 9.57 11.85 14.13 6.88 8.41 9.93 11.46 Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News 6.52 7.35 8.18 9.01 7.94 8.67 9.41 10.14 7.94 10.08 12.23 14.37 Wilmington 6.76 7.14 7.52 7.90 8.91 9.64 10.38 11.11 8.13 9.37 10.61 11.85 Winston-Salem 6.69 7.42 8.16 8.89 8.17 8.54 8.92 9.29 10.26 12.57 14.89 17.20 Source: U.S. Department of Labor, Foreign Labor Certification Data Center, Online Wage Library, available at [http://www.flcdatacenter.com/OesWizardStart.aspx]. Note: As a reminder, the AEWR for North Carolina is $8.85 an hour (see Table 1). Also, the proposed AEWR would be based on wage data from the OES survey, but it could not be less than $7.25 an hour. CRS-25 Table 9. The Four Hourly Wage Levels from the OES Survey for the State of Georgia, Effective July 2008 Through June 2009 Farmworkers and Laborers: Farmworkers: Crop, Nursery, and Greenhouse Farm and Ranch Animals Equipment Operators BLS area Level I Level II Level III Level IV Level I Level II Level III Level IV Level I Level II Level III Level IV Albany $6.48 $7.30 $8.12 $8.94 $7.48 $8.80 $10.13 $11.45 $6.39 $8.17 $9.94 $11.72 Athens-Clarke County 8.29 8.98 9.66 10.35 7.35 9.18 11.01 12.84 6.32 8.14 9.95 11.77 Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Marietta 6.59 7.84 9.09 10.34 8.01 9.49 10.97 12.45 9.35 11.32 13.30 15.27 Augusta-Richmond County 6.35 8.50 10.64 12.79 7.18 9.30 11.41 13.53 7.02 9.00 10.99 12.97 Balance of State (BOS) 1 6.28 7.71 9.13 10.56 7.81 9.56 11.31 13.06 6.33 8.45 10.57 12.69 Balance of State (BOS) 2 6.45 7.31 8.16 9.02 7.82 8.61 9.41 10.20 6.34 8.24 10.14 12.04 Balance of State (BOS) 3 6.45 6.85 7.25 7.65 6.78 7.41 8.03 8.66 6.29 7.16 8.04 8.91 Balance of State (BOS) 4 6.48 6.99 7.50 8.01 7.36 8.70 10.05 11.39 6.40 7.47 8.53 9.60 Brunswick 8.54 9.38 10.23 11.07 7.19 8.57 9.95 11.33 6.39 7.48 8.57 9.66 Chattanooga, Tennessee-Georgia 7.34 8.07 8.81 9.54 6.39 7.84 9.28 10.73 8.32 9.90 11.49 13.07 Columbus, Georgia-Alabama 7.68 8.37 9.06 9.75 7.31 8.77 10.22 11.68 11.38 12.73 14.07 15.42 Dalton 6.74 7.81 8.87 9.94 7.60 9.32 11.05 12.77 6.35 8.18 10.01 11.84 Gainesville 6.58 7.83 9.09 10.34 8.09 9.77 11.45 13.13 6.35 8.18 10.01 11.84 Hinesville-Fort Stewart 6.47 6.98 7.49 8.00 6.90 8.09 9.29 10.48 6.34 7.35 8.36 9.37 Macon 6.58 7.81 9.05 10.28 7.76 9.26 10.75 12.25 11.68 12.98 14.28 15.58 Rome 6.58 7.82 9.07 10.31 7.09 8.96 10.82 12.69 6.35 8.18 10.01 11.84 Savannah 6.45 6.88 7.32 7.75 6.78 7.41 8.03 8.66 6.29 7.20 8.10 9.01 Valdosta 6.43 7.01 7.60 8.18 7.36 8.67 9.99 11.30 6.40 7.47 8.53 9.60 Warner Robins 6.46 7.37 8.27 9.18 7.78 8.75 9.71 10.68 6.35 8.18 10.01 11.84 Source: U.S. Department of Labor, Foreign Labor Certification Data Center, Online Wage Library, available at [http://www.flcdatacenter.com/OesWizardStart.aspx]. Note: As a reminder, the AEWR for Georgia is $8.53 an hour (see Table 1). Also, the proposed AEWR would be based on wage data from the OES survey, but it could not be less than $7.25 an hour. CRS-26 Table 10. The Four Hourly Wage Levels from the OES Survey for the State of Louisiana, Effective July 2008 Through June 2009 Farmworkers and Laborers: Farmworkers: Crop, Nursery, and Greenhouse Farm and Ranch Animals Equipment Operators BLS area Level I Level II Level III Level IV Level I Level II Level III Level IV Level I Level II Level III Level IV Alexandria $8.29 $9.09 $9.88 $10.68 $6.47 $7.38 $8.29 $9.20 $8.20 $8.75 $9.30 $9.85 Baton Rouge 6.31 7.55 8.79 10.03 6.78 7.80 8.81 9.83 8.18 8.74 9.29 9.85 Balance of State (BOS) 1 6.90 8.03 9.17 10.30 7.25 8.76 10.28 11.79 8.63 10.15 11.68 13.20 Balance of State (BOS) 2 8.09 9.82 11.55 13.28 6.47 7.38 8.29 9.20 8.22 8.73 9.24 9.75 Balance of State (BOS) 3 6.23 6.99 7.75 8.51 6.80 8.05 9.29 10.54 8.20 8.65 9.09 9.54 Balance of State (BOS) 4 6.38 6.65 6.91 7.18 6.88 7.99 9.11 10.22 8.36 10.47 12.59 14.70 Houma-Bayou Cane-Thibodaux 6.40 7.96 9.53 11.09 7.93 9.67 11.42 13.16 8.20 8.75 9.30 9.85 Lafayette 6.35 7.48 8.60 9.73 6.81 7.27 7.74 8.20 8.20 8.75 9.30 9.85 Lake Charles 6.46 7.97 9.49 11.00 6.53 7.49 8.46 9.42 8.20 8.75 9.30 9.85 Monroe 7.85 8.72 9.60 10.47 7.03 8.21 9.39 10.57 8.20 8.65 9.09 9.54 New Orleans-Metairie-Kenner 6.97 8.61 10.25 11.89 10.29 11.59 12.90 14.20 8.88 10.48 12.07 13.67 Shreveport-Bossier City 7.40 8.83 10.25 11.68 6.81 8.24 9.67 11.10 8.22 8.66 9.09 9.53 Source: U.S. Department of Labor, Foreign Labor Certification Data Center, Online Wage Library, available at [http://www.flcdatacenter.com/OesWizardStart.aspx]. Note: As a reminder, the AEWR for Louisiana is $8.41 an hour (see Table 1). Also, the proposed AEWR would be based on wage data from the OES survey, but it could not be less than $7.25 an hour. CRS-27 Table 11. The Four Hourly Wage Levels from the OES Survey for the State of Florida, Effective July 2008 Through June 2009 Farmworkers and Laborers: Farmworkers: Crop, Nursery, and Greenhouse Farm and Ranch Animals Equipment Operators BLS area Level I Level II Level III Level IV Level I Level II Level III Level IV Level I Level II Level III Level IV Balance of State (BOS) 1 $9.11 $10.87 $12.63 $14.39 $8.23 $9.94 $11.66 $13.37 $9.75 $11.31 $12.87 $14.43 Balance of State (BOS) 2 7.24 8.71 10.19 11.66 8.03 9.98 11.93 13.88 7.85 9.46 11.06 12.67 Balance of State (BOS) 3 7.08 7.63 8.19 8.74 7.08 8.07 9.06 10.05 8.22 10.16 12.10 14.04 Cape Coral-Fort Myers 7.06 8.00 8.94 9.88 7.09 8.19 9.30 10.40 7.25 8.83 10.40 11.98 Deltona-Daytona Beach-Ormond Beach 6.96 7.60 8.23 8.87 7.78 9.21 10.65 12.08 7.70 9.24 10.79 12.33 Fort Lauderdale-Pompano Beach- Deerfield Beach 7.13 7.74 8.35 8.96 9.14 10.57 11.99 13.42 7.35 8.81 10.26 11.72 Fort Walton Beach-Crestview-Destin 8.70 9.87 11.05 12.22 8.23 9.94 11.66 13.37 9.62 11.58 13.55 15.51 Gainesville 7.17 7.92 8.66 9.41 7.86 9.40 10.94 12.48 8.16 9.59 11.01 12.44 Jacksonville 7.71 9.07 10.43 11.79 7.99 9.76 11.52 13.29 8.16 9.21 10.26 11.31 Lakeland 7.22 8.14 9.07 9.99 7.48 9.17 10.85 12.54 9.13 10.48 11.84 13.19 Miami-Miami Beach-Kendall 7.07 7.99 8.91 9.83 8.04 9.41 10.77 12.14 7.90 9.28 10.67 12.05 Naples-Marco Island 7.39 7.98 8.56 9.15 7.37 8.68 9.98 11.29 7.21 8.09 8.98 9.86 Ocala 7.41 8.95 10.50 12.04 7.85 9.22 10.58 11.95 7.70 9.24 10.79 12.33 Orlando-Kissimmee 7.89 9.56 11.22 12.89 7.54 8.91 10.29 11.66 8.60 10.33 12.06 13.79 Palm Bay-Melbourne-Titusville 8.45 9.68 10.91 12.14 7.45 8.85 10.25 11.65 7.70 9.24 10.79 12.33 Panama City-Lynn Haven 7.13 8.05 8.96 9.88 8.23 9.94 11.66 13.37 7.70 9.24 10.79 12.33 Pensacola-Ferry Pass-Brent 8.74 9.92 11.11 12.29 8.23 9.94 11.66 13.37 7.70 9.24 10.79 12.33 Port St. Lucie-Fort Pierce 8.63 9.61 10.59 11.57 9.29 10.72 12.15 13.58 8.57 10.17 11.77 13.37 Punta Gorda 7.08 7.77 8.45 9.14 7.47 9.22 10.97 12.72 8.19 10.11 12.04 13.96 Sarasota-Bradenton-Venice 10.11 11.73 13.35 14.97 7.46 9.17 10.87 12.58 7.46 9.17 10.87 12.58 Source: U.S. Department of Labor, Foreign Labor Certification Data Center, Online Wage Library, available at [http://www.flcdatacenter.com/OesWizardStart.aspx]. Note: As a reminder, the AEWR for Florida is $8.82 an hour (see Table 1). Also, the proposed AEWR would be based on wage data from the OES survey, but it could not be less than $7.25 an hour. CRS-28 Table 12. The Four Hourly Wage Levels from the OES Survey for the State of Kentucky, Effective July 2008 Through June 2009 Farmworkers and Laborers: Farmworkers: Crop, Nursery, and Greenhouse Farm and Ranch Animals Equipment Operators BLS area Level I Level II Level III Level IV Level I Level II Level III Level IV Level I Level II Level III Level IV Balance of State (BOS) 1 $6.69 $7.69 $8.68 $9.68 $6.57 $7.31 $8.04 $8.78 $10.35 $11.25 $12.15 $13.05 Balance of State (BOS) 2 7.40 8.19 8.99 9.78 6.95 8.32 9.68 11.05 11.18 11.96 12.73 13.51 Balance of State (BOS) 3 7.70 8.97 10.24 11.51 6.61 7.20 7.80 8.39 9.71 11.06 12.40 13.75 Balance of State (BOS) 4 7.07 8.51 9.96 11.40 9.70 10.97 12.24 13.51 9.70 10.97 12.24 13.51 Bowling Green N.A. N.A. N.A. N.A. 6.58 7.81 9.04 10.27 10.28 10.78 11.29 11.79 Cincinnati-Middletown, Ohio- Kentucky-Indiana 8.23 9.32 10.41 11.50 7.79 9.66 11.52 13.39 9.13 10.28 11.43 12.58 Clarksville, Tennessee-Kentucky 6.64 7.97 9.29 10.62 6.64 7.72 8.79 9.87 9.34 10.24 11.13 12.03 Elizabethtown 7.30 7.98 8.67 9.35 7.01 8.29 9.57 10.85 10.28 10.78 11.27 11.77 Evansville, Indiana-Kentucky 6.28 7.55 8.82 10.09 10.38 11.25 12.11 12.98 10.13 11.00 11.87 12.74 Huntington-Ashland, West Virginia- Kentucky-Ohio 8.17 9.22 10.27 11.32 6.60 7.84 9.08 10.32 8.85 9.96 11.07 12.18 Lexington-Fayette 6.91 8.77 10.62 12.48 7.98 8.99 10.00 11.01 9.67 11.28 12.88 14.49 Louisville-Jefferson County, Kentucky- Indiana 7.05 7.90 8.74 9.59 7.71 8.99 10.26 11.54 9.91 10.71 11.52 12.32 Owensboro 6.26 7.28 8.31 9.33 6.57 7.51 8.45 9.39 10.32 11.09 11.85 12.62 Source: U.S. Department of Labor, Foreign Labor Certification Data Center, Online Wage Library, available at [http://www.flcdatacenter.com/OesWizardStart.aspx]. Note: As a reminder, the AEWR for Kentucky is $9.13 an hour (see Table 1). Also, the proposed AEWR would be based on wage data from the OES survey, but it could not be less than $7.25 an hour. CRS-29 Table 13. H-2A Prevailing Wages, North Carolina, 2008-2009 Area Occupation Prevailing Wage Statewide Cabbage, harvesting $6.30 per hour Tomato, harvesting $7.00 per hour Strawberry, harvesting $7.00 per hour Cucumber, harvesting $0.75 per 5/8 bushel Banana peppers, harvesting No finding a Squash, harvesting $6.50 per hour Grape, harvesting $8.50 per hour Burley tobacco, harvesting $9.00 per hour Watermelon, harvesting $7.00 per hour Sweet corn, harvesting $6.50 per hour Long green cucumber, harvesting $0.50 per 5/8 bushel Jalapeno peppers, harvesting $7.50 per hour Onion, harvesting No finding Cantaloupe, harvesting $6.40 per hour Pumpkin, harvesting $8.00 per hour Sweet potato, harvesting $0.40 per 5/8 bushel Greenville Tobacco, transplanting $7.00 per hour Horticulture, cultivating $6.90 per hour Tobacco, harvesting $7.50 per hour Mount Olive Blueberry, harvesting $5.00 per flat Tobacco, transplanting $7.00 per hour Tobacco, harvesting $7.00 per hour Horticulture, cultivating $8.00 per hour Raleigh Tobacco, transplanting $7.00 per hour Tobacco, harvesting $7.00 per hour Horticulture, cultivating $7.00 per hour Handersonville Horticulture, cultivating $8.00 per hour Christmas tree, harvesting $8.00 per hour Source: U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration, Agricultural Online Wage Library, available at [http://www.foreignlaborcert.doleta.gov/aowl.cfm]. a. "No finding" means that the number of workers in the sample for the occupation and area was too small to estimate a prevailing wage. (U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration, Employment Service Forms Preparation Handbook, Handbook 385, August 1981, p. I-139.) When there is no finding from the prevailing wage survey, employers must pay at least the higher of the AEWR or the applicable minimum wage. CRS-30 Table 14. H-2A Prevailing Wages, Georgia, 2008-2009 Area Occupation Prevailing Wage Statewide Yellow squash, pack $6.00 per hour North Nursery, worker $8.00 per hour Central Watermelon, cut No finding a Watermelon, load $80.00 per 22,000-pound bus Watermelon, packing shed $7.00 per hour Watermelon, unload $8.00 per hour Yellow squash, pick No finding Yellow squash, pack No finding Yellow squash, unload No finding Yellow squash, pick, wash, grade and field pack $1.00 per 6-gallon bucket Vidalia onions, pulling $1.20 per 30 bundle bag, 100 plants Vidalia onions, planting $0.25 per 1 foot ply row Vidalia onions, field maintenance $7.00 per hour Vidalia onions, driver No finding Cabbage, driver No finding Cabbage, cut and load No finding Vidalia onions, planting $0.0250 per foot 4 ply row Vidalia onions, clip and bag $0.75 per 60-pound bag $11.50 per bin (30 five-gallon Vidalia onions, clip, bag/bucket and dump buckets) Vidalia onions, driver $7.00 per hour Vidalia onions, forklift driver $7.50 per hour Vidalia onions, grader $6.00 per hour Vidalia onions, load $0.03 per 60-pound bag Vidalia onions, pack $6.50 per hour Vidalia onions, unload $0.03 per 60-pound bag Vidalia onions, bin setters No finding Vidalia onions, box No finding Vidalia onions, clip top, place on conveyor No finding Vidalia onions, field maintenance No finding Vidalia onions, experience forklift driver No finding Vidalia onions, experience grader No finding Vidalia onions, grader, experienced No finding Vidalia onions, load flat bed No finding Vidalia onions, load wagons No finding Vidalia onions, load and unload No finding Vidalia onions, machine operator No finding Vidalia onions, sort No finding Vidalia onions, unload with forklift No finding Cucumber, pick, pack and grade No finding Cucumber, grade No finding Cucumber, pick No finding Cucumber, truck driver No finding Cucumber, pickles No finding Cantaloupes, harvest $0.06 per cantaloupe Cantaloupes, packing shed No finding Nursery, worker $7.00 per hour CRS-31 Area Occupation Prevailing Wage South Grape tomatoes, truck driver No finding Grape tomatoes, pick and palletize in bulk No finding Grape tomatoes, crew leader No finding Grape tomatoes, bus driver No finding Green tomato, pick, grade and field box No finding Green tomato, pick No finding Green tomato, dumper No finding Green tomato, driver, hauler No finding Tomatoes, pick, grade, field box No finding Tomatoes, pick No finding Roma tomatoes, pick No finding Watermelon, cut $10.00 per hour Watermelon, cut and load $120.00 per 18,000-pound trailer Watermelon, cut and load $80.00 per 13,000-pound trailer Watermelon, cut, load, unload, grade and pack No finding Watermelon, driver $8.00 per hour Watermelon, load $450.00 per 15,000-pound bus Watermelon, pack shed $8.00 per hour Watermelon, tractor driver No finding Watermelon, unload $10.00 per hour Yellow squash, pick, wash, grade and field pack $6.00 per hour Yellow squash, pack No finding Yellow squash, supervisor No finding Zucchini, field supervisor No finding Zucchini, pick, wash, grade and field pack $6.00 per hour Corn, box maker No finding Corn, checker No finding Corn, crew leader No finding Corn, field walker No finding Corn, grade, pack and box at cooler No finding Corn, lead row No finding Corn, loader No finding Corn, machine driver No finding Corn, packer No finding Corn, puller No finding Corn, push down No finding Corn, tie man No finding Yellow squash, pick No finding Zucchini, pick No finding Cabbage, field cut $0.26 per 50-pound box Cabbage, loading boxes No finding Cabbage, pack on line $5.50 per hour Cabbage, pick and field pack $0.60 per 50-pound box Cabbage, unloading No finding Greens, cut, bundle and box $0.85 per 24 bunch box Greens, unloading No finding Greens, cut and box No finding Greens, icing No finding Greens, loading $0.10 per 1.35 bushel box Greens, packing shed No finding Greens, unloading and icing No finding Nursery, worker $6.50 per hour Cucumber, dumper No finding CRS-32 Area Occupation Prevailing Wage Cucumber, packing $6.00 per hour Cucumber, picking $0.35 per 5-gallon bucket Cucumber, pick, pack and grade $8.51 per hour Cucumber, tractor driver $8.00 per hour Cucumber, pack and dump No finding Cucumber, pick, set bucket in trailer No finding Cucumber, place and pack No finding $6.00 per hour plus $0.10 per 5- Bell pepper, pick gallon bucket Bell pepper, tractor driver No finding Bell pepper, place and pack No finding Bell pepper, pack No finding Bell pepper, dumper No finding Hot banana pepper, pick No finding Peppers, pack $6.75 per hour Peppers, pick $0.30 per 7-gallon bucket Peppers, pick, grade and pack $8.51 per hour Peppers, tractor driver $8.00 per hour Peppers, box maker, stacker No finding Peppers, dumper No finding Peppers, grade No finding Peppers, pick, set bucket in trailer No finding Peppers, washers No finding Eggplants, dumper $6.67 per hour Eggplants, pack $8.51 per hour Eggplants, pick $0.50 per 7-gallon bucket Eggplants, pick, grade and pack $8.51 per hour Eggplants, tractor driver No finding Eggplants, box maker No finding Eggplants, pick, pack and load No finding Eggplants, stack No finding Cantaloupes, harvest $6.50 per hour Cantaloupes, packing shed $6.00 per hour Cucumber, dumper No finding Cucumber, packing $6.00 per hour Cucumber, picking $0.35 per 5-gallon bucket Cucumber, pick, pack and grade $8.51 per hour Cucumber, tractor driver $8.00 per hour Cucumber, pack and dump No finding Cucumber, pick, set bucket in trailer No finding Cucumber, place and pack No finding $6.00 per hour plus $0.10 per 5- Bell pepper, pick gallon bucket Bell pepper, tractor driver No finding Bell pepper, place and pack No finding Bell pepper, pack No finding Bell pepper, dumper No finding Hot banana pepper, pick No finding Peppers, pack $6.75 per hour Peppers, pick $0.30 per 7-gallon bucket Peppers, pick, grade and pack $8.51 per hour Peppers, tractor driver $8.00 per hour Peppers, box maker, stacker No finding Peppers, dumper No finding CRS-33 Area Occupation Prevailing Wage Peppers, grade No finding Peppers, pick, set bucket in trailer No finding Peppers, washers No finding Eggplants, dumper $6.67 per hour Eggplants, pack $8.51 per hour Eggplants, pick $0.50 per 7-gallon bucket Eggplants, pick, grade and pack $8.51 per hour Eggplants, tractor driver No finding Eggplants, box maker No finding Eggplants, pick, pack and load No finding Eggplants, stack No finding Cantaloupes, harvest $6.50 per hour Cantaloupes, packing shed $6.00 per hour Source: U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration, Agricultural Online Wage Library, available at [http://www.foreignlaborcert.doleta.gov/aowl.cfm]. a. "No finding" means that the number of workers in the sample for the occupation and area was too small to estimate a prevailing wage. (U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration, Employment Service Forms Preparation Handbook, Handbook 385, August 1981, p. I-139.) When there is no finding from the prevailing wage survey, employers must pay at least the higher of the AEWR or the applicable minimum wage. CRS-34 Table 15. H-2A Prevailing Wages, Florida, 2008-2009 Area Occupation Prevailing Wage Statewide Corn, detassler- mechanical No finding a Corn, cutter-puller No finding Corn, packer-pusher No finding Corn, crate maker No finding Corn, crate stacker-loader No finding Corn, crate closer-tie man No finding Corn, ticket maker-checker No finding Ticket writer operator-mobile packing equipment No finding Vegetable, assistant supervisor No finding Blueberry, harvest $4.00 per six-pound bucket Blueberry, packer $7.00 per hour Blueberry, planter No finding Citrus truck driver $8.00 per hour Citrus fruit for processing, mechanical harvesting No finding Early tangerine, hand harvest $1.50 per 95-pound field box Late Tangerine, harvest, fresh market $2.00 per field box Valencia orange, machine operator for processing No finding Central $0.90 per 90-pound field box Valencia oranges, harvest pickers for market plus end of season bonus Strawberry, planting $10.00 per 1,000 plants Strawberry, harvest fresh market $1.50 per 8 x 1 pound flat Early/mid orange harvest picker for processing $0.85 per 90-pound field box Valencia orange, harvest for processing $0.90 per 90-pound field box Grapefruit, hand harvest for fresh market No finding Grapefruit, hand harvest for fresh market $0.60 per field box South Agricultural equipment mechanic $11.00 per hour Assistant supervisor, field operations No finding $0.90 per 90-pound field box plus $0.01 to $0.03 per box Early/mid orange harvest picker for processing end of season bonus Early/mid orange harvest picker for processing $0.95 per 90-pound field box Early/mid orange, machine harvest for processing No finding Valencia orange, harvest for processing No finding Grapefruit, hand harvest for processed fruit No finding Grapefruit, hand harvest for fresh market No finding East Coast Early/mid orange harvest picker for processing $0.98 per 90-pound box Source: U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration, Agricultural Online Wage Library, available at [http://www.foreignlaborcert.doleta.gov/aowl.cfm]. a. "No finding" means that the number of workers in the sample for the occupation and area was too small to estimate a prevailing wage. (U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration, Employment Service Forms Preparation Handbook, Handbook 385, August 1981, p. I-139.) When there is no finding from the prevailing wage survey, employers must pay at least the higher of the AEWR or the applicable minimum wage. CRS-35 Table 16. H-2A Prevailing Wages, Kentucky, 2008-2009 Area Occupation Prevailing Wage Statewide Tobacco, cutting and housing $8.00 per hour Tobacco, cutting $8.00 per hour Tobacco, housing $8.00 per hour Tobacco, stripping $5.00 per hour Source: U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration, Agricultural Online Wage Library, available at [http://www.foreignlaborcert.doleta.gov/aowl.cfm]. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ For other versions of this document, see http://wikileaks.org/wiki/CRS-RL34739