Profile Of The Work Force On Dairy Farms In New York And Wisconsin

Author : Julia Jagow
Publisher :
ISBN 13 :
Total Pages : 39 pages
Book Rating : 4.:/5 (13 download)

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Download or read book Dairy Farms and H-2A Harms written by Julia Jagow and published by . This book was released on 2020 with total page 39 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The Wisconsin Dairy Industry is in a sour situation because it lacks a sufficient legal workforce. Since the advent of new milking technology, a push for industrialization, and the regulation of milk prices, the number of farms in America's Dairyland has fallen, but their size has dramatically increased. Simultaneously, a shadow market of undocumented dairy workers emerged in Wisconsin, as farmers were desperate to fill positions in their milking parlors. Farmers in other agricultural sectors facing domestic labor shortages have the option of employing foreign workers through the H-2A agricultural guest worker program to fill their labor needs. However, this option is unavailable to dairy farmers, rendering them with no sustainable legal options for hiring foreign workers to meet labor demands. Additionally, even if dairy farmers could hire H-2A foreign workers, the current H-2A program features serious flaws including rampant worker exploitation, high cost, and an unwieldy application process.This Comment proposes redesigning the H-2A guest worker visa program from a federally-sponsored model to a state-sponsored model, utilizing the principles of federalism, delegation, and sub-delegation. The state-sponsored model offers solutions to three problems: Wisconsin dairy worker shortages; Wisconsin dairy's relationship with undocumented workers; and H-2A failings. First, the state-sponsored guest worker program will offer Wisconsin dairy farmers a legal option to fulfill their labor needs and will reap economic benefits in Wisconsin and the United States. Second, the new H-2A program will allow for the participation of undocumented workers and provide lasting opportunities for legal immigration. Third, this state-sponsored model will correct the abuses and frustrations prevalent in the current H-2A program, through flexibility, state oversight, and employer de-centralization. Overall, this Comment's proposed state-sponsored H-2A program will lead to greater protection of workers, economic benefit, and increased national security.