Ruling: Negative effect on seafood biz

The U.S. Department of Labor announced in early March it will no longer accept or process requests for H-2B visa prevailing wage determinations or foreign labor certifications, which could be a setback for Gulf of Mexico seafood processor from Florida to Texas. After a challenge from the non-profit rights group Florida Rural Legal Services, the Northern Florida District Court decision (Perez v. Perez) March 4 ruled DOL does not have the authority to issue regulations in the H-2B program, including standards for calculating prevailing wages of seasonal workers. The verdict vacates DOL’s 2008 H-2B regulation authority under the Immigration and Nationality Act. “The H-2B program has been the source of labor for Pontchartrain Blue Crab’s operation for more than 14 years,” said Gary Bauer, owner of the Slidell, La., processor. “The federal program was designed to provide small businesses with a source of legal immigrant labor and alleviate the shortages of labor these small businesses face year after year,” he said. The suspension could have negative economic consequences for seasonal employers, supply businesses and local communities, according to the H-2B Workforce Coalition, an organization designed to protect workers through a stable seasonal workforce. The coalition estimates about 2,300 employers and 33,000 foreign labor workers will be directly affected by the court’s decision. Some economists are estimating that for each H-2B worker, 4.64 American jobs are created and sustained. (Source: Gulf Seafood Institute 03/05/15)