82_FR_60872 82 FR 60628 - Labor Certification Process for the Temporary Employment of Aliens in Agriculture in the United States: 2018 Adverse Effect Wage Rates for Non-Range Occupations

82 FR 60628 - Labor Certification Process for the Temporary Employment of Aliens in Agriculture in the United States: 2018 Adverse Effect Wage Rates for Non-Range Occupations

DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
Employment and Training Administration

Federal Register Volume 82, Issue 244 (December 21, 2017)

Page Range60628-60629
FR Document2017-27528

The Employment and Training Administration (ETA) of the Department of Labor (Department) is issuing this notice to announce the 2018 Adverse Effect Wage Rates (AEWRs) for the employment of temporary or seasonal nonimmigrant foreign workers (H-2A workers) to perform agricultural labor or services other than the herding or production of livestock on the range. AEWRs are the minimum wage rates the Department has determined must be offered and paid by employers to H-2A workers and workers in corresponding employment for a particular occupation and area so that the wages and working conditions of similarly employed U.S. workers will not be adversely affected. In this notice, the Department announces the annual update of the AEWRs.

Federal Register, Volume 82 Issue 244 (Thursday, December 21, 2017) 
[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 244 (Thursday, December 21, 2017)]
[Notices]
[Pages 60628-60629]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2017-27528]


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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration


Labor Certification Process for the Temporary Employment of 
Aliens in Agriculture in the United States: 2018 Adverse Effect Wage 
Rates for Non-Range Occupations

AGENCY: Employment and Training Administration, Department of Labor.

ACTION: Notice.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The Employment and Training Administration (ETA) of the 
Department of Labor (Department) is issuing this notice to announce the 
2018 Adverse Effect Wage Rates (AEWRs) for the employment of temporary 
or seasonal nonimmigrant foreign workers (H-2A workers) to perform 
agricultural labor or services other than the herding or production of 
livestock on the range.
    AEWRs are the minimum wage rates the Department has determined must 
be offered and paid by employers to H-2A workers and workers in 
corresponding employment for a particular occupation and area so that 
the wages and working conditions of similarly employed U.S. workers 
will not be adversely affected. In this notice, the Department 
announces the annual update of the AEWRs.

DATE: This notice is applicable January 4, 2018.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: William W. Thompson, II, 
Administrator, Office of Foreign Labor Certification, Box #12-200, 
Employment & Training Administration, U.S. Department of Labor, Office 
of Foreign Labor Certification, 200 Constitution Avenue NW, Washington, 
DC 20210. Telephone: 202-513-7350 (this is not a toll-free number).
    Individuals with hearing or speech impairments may access the 
telephone number above via TTY by calling the toll-free Federal 
Information Relay Service at 1-877-889-5627.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: As a condition precedent to receiving an H-
2A visa, employers must first obtain a labor certification from the 
Department of Labor. The labor certification provides that: (1) There 
are not sufficient U.S. workers who are able, willing, and qualified 
and who will be available at the time and place needed to perform the 
labor or services involved in the petition; and (2) the employment of 
the foreign worker(s) in such labor or services will not adversely 
affect the wages and working conditions of workers in the U.S. 
similarly employed. 8 U.S.C. 1101(a)(15)(H)(ii)(a), 1184(c)(1), and 
1188(a); 8 CFR 214.2(h)(5); 20 CFR 655.100.

Adverse Effect Wage Rates for 2018

    The Department's H-2A regulations at 20 CFR 655.122(l) provide that 
employers must pay their H-2A workers and workers in corresponding 
employment at least the highest of: (i) The AEWR; (ii) the prevailing 
hourly wage rate; (iii) the prevailing piece rate; (iv) the agreed-upon 
collective bargaining wage rate, if applicable; or (v) the Federal or 
State minimum wage rate, in effect at the time the work is performed.
    Except as otherwise provided in 20 CFR part 655, subpart B, the 
region-wide AEWR for all agricultural employment (except for the 
herding or production of livestock on the range, which is covered by 20 
CFR 655.200-235) for which temporary H-2A certification is being sought 
is equal to the annual weighted average hourly wage rate for field and 
livestock workers (combined) in the State or region as published 
annually by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). 20 CFR 
655.120(c) requires that the Administrator of the Office of Foreign 
Labor Certification publish the USDA field and livestock worker 
(combined) wage data as AEWRs in a Federal Register notice. 
Accordingly, the 2018 AEWRs to be paid for agricultural work performed 
by H-2A and U.S. workers on or after the applicable date of this notice 
are set forth in the table below:

                  Table--2018 Adverse Effect Wage Rates
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                          State                             2018 AEWRs
------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
Alabama.................................................          $10.95
Arizona.................................................           10.46
Arkansas................................................           10.73
California..............................................           13.18
Colorado................................................           10.69
Connecticut.............................................           12.83
Delaware................................................           12.05
Florida.................................................           11.29
Georgia.................................................           10.95
Hawaii..................................................           14.37
Idaho...................................................           11.63
Illinois................................................           12.93
Indiana.................................................           12.93
Iowa....................................................           13.42
Kansas..................................................           13.64
Kentucky................................................           11.19
Louisiana...............................................           10.73
Maine...................................................           12.83
Maryland................................................           12.05
Massachusetts...........................................           12.83
Michigan................................................           13.06
Minnesota...............................................           13.06
Mississippi.............................................           10.73

[[Page 60629]]

 
Missouri................................................           13.42
Montana.................................................           11.63
Nebraska................................................           13.64
Nevada..................................................           10.69
New Hampshire...........................................           12.83
New Jersey..............................................           12.05
New Mexico..............................................           10.46
New York................................................           12.83
North Carolina..........................................           11.46
North Dakota............................................           13.64
Ohio....................................................           12.93
Oklahoma................................................           11.87
Oregon..................................................           14.12
Pennsylvania............................................           12.05
Rhode Island............................................           12.83
South Carolina..........................................           10.95
South Dakota............................................           13.64
Tennessee...............................................           11.19
Texas...................................................           11.87
Utah....................................................           10.69
Vermont.................................................           12.83
Virginia................................................           11.46
Washington..............................................           14.12
West Virginia...........................................           11.19
Wisconsin...............................................           13.06
Wyoming.................................................           11.63
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Pursuant to the H-2A regulations at 20 CFR 655.173, the Department 
will publish a separate Federal Register notice in early 2018 to 
announce (1) the allowable charges for 2018 that employers seeking H-2A 
workers may charge their workers for providing them three meals a day; 
and (2) the maximum travel subsistence reimbursement which a worker 
with receipts may claim in 2018. Also in a separate Federal Register 
notice, the Department will publish the monthly AEWR for workers 
engaged to perform herding or production of livestock on the range for 
2018.

Rosemary Lahasky,
Deputy Assistant Secretary, Employment and Training Administration.
[FR Doc. 2017-27528 Filed 12-20-17; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4510-FP-P

60628 Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 244 / Thursday, December 21, 2017 / Notices 101 TAA PETITIONS INSTITUTED BETWEEN 10/23/17 AND 11/30/17—Continued Subject firm Date of Date of TA–W Location (petitioners) institution petition 93322 ................................ Unified Grocers (State/One-Stop) ............................. Commerce, CA ................ 11/22/17 11/20/17 93323 ................................ Payless (State/One-Stop) .......................................... Topeka, KS ...................... 11/24/17 11/22/17 93324 ................................ Dresser-Rand (State/One-Stop) ................................ Painted Post, NY ............. 11/27/17 11/24/17 93325 ................................ Eli Lilly (Company) ..................................................... Bridgewater, NJ ............... 11/27/17 11/24/17 93326 ................................ Oticon, Inc. (State/One-Stop) .................................... Somerset, NJ ................... 11/27/17 11/24/17 93327 ................................ AG Manufacturing, Inc.—Alabama (Company) ......... Wetumpka, AL ................. 11/28/17 11/27/17 93328 ................................ Altice USA (State/One-Stop) ..................................... Woodbury, NY ................. 11/28/17 11/27/17 93329 ................................ Kyklos Bearing International, LLC (State/One-Stop) Sandusky, OH ................. 11/28/17 11/27/17 93330 ................................ CDI (State/One-Stop) ................................................ Indianapolis, IN ................ 11/29/17 11/28/17 93331 ................................ Securitas USA (at Kellogg Seelyville Bakery) (State/ Terre Haute, IN ................ 11/29/17 11/28/17 One-Stop). 93332 ................................ Murray’s Iron Works, Inc. (State/One-Stop) .............. Commerce, CA ................ 11/29/17 11/28/17 93333 ................................ Julius Koch USA, Inc. (Company) ............................. New Bedford, MA ............ 11/29/17 11/20/17 93334 ................................ Flowserve U.S. Inc., Parts Manufacturing Center Clarks Summit, PA .......... 11/30/17 11/27/17 (Company). 93335 ................................ Pacific Gas & Electric Co. (State/One-Stop) ............. San Francisco, CA .......... 11/30/17 11/29/17 93336 ................................ Suniva, Inc. (State/One-Stop) .................................... Norcross, GA ................... 11/30/17 11/29/17 [FR Doc. 2017–27532 Filed 12–20–17; 8:45 am] Department of Labor, Office of Foreign production of livestock on the range, BILLING CODE 4510–FN–P Labor Certification, 200 Constitution which is covered by 20 CFR 655.200– Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20210. 235) for which temporary H–2A Telephone: 202–513–7350 (this is not a certification is being sought is equal to DEPARTMENT OF LABOR toll-free number). the annual weighted average hourly Individuals with hearing or speech wage rate for field and livestock workers Employment and Training impairments may access the telephone (combined) in the State or region as Administration number above via TTY by calling the published annually by the United States toll-free Federal Information Relay Department of Agriculture (USDA). 20 Labor Certification Process for the Service at 1–877–889–5627. CFR 655.120(c) requires that the Temporary Employment of Aliens in Agriculture in the United States: 2018 SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: As a Administrator of the Office of Foreign Adverse Effect Wage Rates for Non- condition precedent to receiving an Labor Certification publish the USDA Range Occupations H–2A visa, employers must first obtain field and livestock worker (combined) a labor certification from the wage data as AEWRs in a Federal AGENCY: Employment and Training Department of Labor. The labor Register notice. Accordingly, the 2018 Administration, Department of Labor. certification provides that: (1) There are AEWRs to be paid for agricultural work ACTION: Notice. not sufficient U.S. workers who are able, performed by H–2A and U.S. workers willing, and qualified and who will be on or after the applicable date of this SUMMARY: The Employment and notice are set forth in the table below: available at the time and place needed Training Administration (ETA) of the to perform the labor or services involved Department of Labor (Department) is TABLE—2018 ADVERSE EFFECT WAGE in the petition; and (2) the employment issuing this notice to announce the 2018 of the foreign worker(s) in such labor or RATES Adverse Effect Wage Rates (AEWRs) for services will not adversely affect the the employment of temporary or State 2018 AEWRs wages and working conditions of seasonal nonimmigrant foreign workers workers in the U.S. similarly employed. (H–2A workers) to perform agricultural . 8 U.S.C. 1101(a)(15)(H)(ii)(a), 1184(c)(1), labor or services other than the herding Alabama ................................ $10.95 and 1188(a); 8 CFR 214.2(h)(5); 20 CFR Arizona .................................. 10.46 or production of livestock on the range. AEWRs are the minimum wage rates 655.100. Arkansas ............................... 10.73 the Department has determined must be California ............................... 13.18 Adverse Effect Wage Rates for 2018 Colorado ............................... 10.69 offered and paid by employers to H–2A The Department’s H–2A regulations at Connecticut ........................... 12.83 workers and workers in corresponding Delaware ............................... 12.05 20 CFR 655.122(l) provide that employment for a particular occupation Florida ................................... 11.29 employers must pay their H–2A workers and area so that the wages and working Georgia ................................. 10.95 and workers in corresponding conditions of similarly employed U.S. Hawaii ................................... 14.37 employment at least the highest of: (i) Idaho ..................................... 11.63 workers will not be adversely affected. The AEWR; (ii) the prevailing hourly Illinois .................................... 12.93 In this notice, the Department wage rate; (iii) the prevailing piece rate; Indiana .................................. 12.93 announces the annual update of the (iv) the agreed-upon collective Iowa ...................................... 13.42 AEWRs. Kansas .................................. 13.64 bargaining wage rate, if applicable; or daltland on DSKBBV9HB2PROD with NOTICES DATE: This notice is applicable January (v) the Federal or State minimum wage Kentucky ............................... 11.19 4, 2018. rate, in effect at the time the work is Louisiana .............................. 10.73 Maine .................................... 12.83 FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: performed. Maryland ............................... 12.05 William W. Thompson, II, Except as otherwise provided in 20 Massachusetts ...................... 12.83 Administrator, Office of Foreign Labor CFR part 655, subpart B, the region- Michigan ............................... 13.06 Certification, Box #12–200, Employment wide AEWR for all agricultural Minnesota ............................. 13.06 & Training Administration, U.S. employment (except for the herding or Mississippi ............................ 10.73 VerDate Sep<11>2014 20:57 Dec 20, 2017 Jkt 244001 PO 00000 Frm 00051 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 E:\FR\FM\21DEN1.SGM 21DEN1

Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 244 / Thursday, December 21, 2017 / Notices 60629 TABLE—2018 ADVERSE EFFECT WAGE clarify statutory and regulatory that any foreign worker seeking to enter RATES—Continued requirements, and provide greater the United States on a temporary basis transparency and oversight in the H–2B for the purpose of performing non- State 2018 AEWRs nonimmigrant visa application agricultural services or labor will not, by processes, conducts a preclearance doing so, adversely affect wages and Missouri ................................ 13.42 consultation program to provide the working conditions of U.S. workers who Montana ................................ 11.63 public and Federal agencies with an are similarly employed. In addition, the Nebraska .............................. 13.64 Secretary must certify that qualified Nevada ................................. 10.69 opportunity to comment on proposed New Hampshire .................... 12.83 and/or continuing collections of U.S. workers are not available to New Jersey ........................... 12.05 information in accordance with the perform such temporary labor or New Mexico .......................... 10.46 Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. This services. New York .............................. 12.83 program helps provide that all requested Section 543 of the Consolidated North Carolina ...................... 11.46 data can be provided in the desired Appropriations Act, 2017, Public Law North Dakota ........................ 13.64 format, reporting burden (time and 115–31 (May 5, 2017) (2017 Act), Ohio ...................................... 12.93 financial resources) is minimized, authorized the Secretary of the Oklahoma ............................. 11.87 Department Homeland Security (DHS), Oregon .................................. 14.12 collection instruments are clearly understood, and the impact of collection in consultation with the Secretary of Pennsylvania ........................ 12.05 Rhode Island ........................ 12.83 requirements on respondents can be Labor, to increase the number of H–2B South Carolina ...................... 10.95 properly assessed. visas available to U.S. employers in South Dakota ........................ 13.64 Currently, ETA is soliciting comments Fiscal Year (FY) 2017, notwithstanding Tennessee ............................ 11.19 concerning the proposed revisions to the otherwise established statutory Texas .................................... 11.87 Office of Management and Budget numerical limitation. In consultation Utah ...................................... 10.69 (OMB) Control Number 1205–0530, with the Secretary of Labor, the Vermont ................................ 12.83 Secretary of Homeland Security Virginia .................................. 11.46 containing Form ETA–9142–B–CAA— Attestation for Employers Seeking to increased the H–2B cap for FY 2017 by Washington ........................... 14.12 Employ H–2B Nonimmigrant Workers up to 15,000 additional visas for West Virginia ........................ 11.19 Wisconsin ............................. 13.06 Under Section 543 of the Consolidated American businesses that were likely to Wyoming ............................... 11.63 Appropriations Act, which it is suffer irreparable harm (that is, currently set to expire on January 31, permanent and severe financial loss) Pursuant to the H–2A regulations at 2018. A copy of the proposed revised without the ability to employ all of the 20 CFR 655.173, the Department will information collection can be obtained H–2B workers requested on their publish a separate Federal Register by contacting the office listed below in petition before the end of FY 2017. As notice in early 2018 to announce (1) the the addressee section of this notice. set forth in the Temporary Rule: allowable charges for 2018 that Exercise of Time-Limited Authority to DATES: Written comments must be employers seeking H–2A workers may Increase the Fiscal Year 2017 Numerical submitted to the office listed in the charge their workers for providing them Limitation for the H–2B Temporary addresses section below on or before three meals a day; and (2) the maximum Nonagricultural Worker Program, 82 FR February 20, 2018. travel subsistence reimbursement which 32987 (July 19, 2017), which ADDRESSES: Submit written comments implemented the 2017 Act, employers a worker with receipts may claim in to William W. Thompson II, 2018. Also in a separate Federal seeking authorization to employ Administrator, Office of Foreign Labor workers under this time-limited Register notice, the Department will Certification, Box #12–200, Employment publish the monthly AEWR for workers authority were required to complete and & Training Administration, U.S. submit Form ETA–9142–B–CAA. engaged to perform herding or Department of Labor, 200 Constitution production of livestock on the range for The authority to issue any new visas Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20210. under the 2017 Act has expired, and 2018. Telephone number: 202–513–7350 (this employers are no longer permitted to Rosemary Lahasky, is not a toll-free number). Individuals submit Form ETA–9142–B–CAA. Deputy Assistant Secretary, Employment and with hearing or speech impairments However, employers continue to be Training Administration. may access the telephone number above required to retain the form and required [FR Doc. 2017–27528 Filed 12–20–17; 8:45 am] via TTY by calling the toll-free Federal supporting documentation for 3 years BILLING CODE 4510–FP–P Information Relay Service at 1–877– from the date of the certification. The 889–5627 (TTY/TDD). Fax: 202–513– retention requirement expires on 7395. Email: ETA.OFLC.Forms@dol.gov October1, 2020. As a result, the DEPARTMENT OF LABOR subject line: ETA–9142–B–CAA. A copy Department now seeks public comment of the proposed information collection to revise the information collection as a Employment and Training request (ICR) can be obtained by result of continued record retention Administration contacting the office listed above. requirements following the expiration of SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Form ETA–9142–B–CAA, and Comment Request for Information Collection for Form ETA–9142–B–CAA, I. Background elimination of the burden associated Revision of Currently Approved with the preparation and submission of The H–2B visa program enables the form, which is no longer required or Collection employers to bring nonimmigrant accepted in connection with petitions daltland on DSKBBV9HB2PROD with NOTICES AGENCY: Employment and Training foreign workers to the U.S. to perform for H–2B workers. Administration (ETA), Labor. nonagricultural work of a temporary or seasonal nature as defined in 8 U.S.C. II. Review Focus ACTION: Notice. 1101(a)(15)(H)(ii)(b). For purposes of the DOL is particularly interested in SUMMARY: The Department of Labor H–2B program, the INA and governing comments that: (DOL or Department), as part of its effort federal regulations require the Secretary • Evaluate whether the proposed to streamline information collection, of Labor to certify, among other things, collection of information is necessary VerDate Sep<11>2014 20:57 Dec 20, 2017 Jkt 244001 PO 00000 Frm 00052 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 E:\FR\FM\21DEN1.SGM 21DEN1


Document Created: 2018-10-25 11:00:24
Document Modified: 2018-10-25 11:00:24
CategoryRegulatory Information
CollectionFederal Register
sudoc ClassAE 2.7:
GS 4.107:
AE 2.106:
PublisherOffice of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration
SectionNotices
ActionNotice.
DatesThis notice is applicable January 4, 2018.
ContactWilliam W. Thompson, II, Administrator, Office of Foreign Labor Certification, Box #12-200, Employment & Training Administration, U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Foreign Labor Certification, 200 Constitution Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20210. Telephone: 202-513-7350 (this is not a toll-free number).
FR Citation82 FR 60628 
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