Source: MEATINGPLACE, 4/22/16

U.S. Sen. Jeff Flake (R-Ariz.) has introduced legislation described as addressing an existing gap between temporary visa programs for seasonal workers and the H-1B visa program for highly skilled immigrants.

The Willing Workers and Willing Employers Act would admit workers to the United States with less than a bachelor’s degree to do year-round, non-farm work while requiring that employers seek an available U.S. worker before hiring a guest worker under the program.

The National Turkey Federation called the legislation a “common sense” program.

“There are very few permanent visas for less-skilled workers. Existing temporary programs only apply to seasonal labor, effectively excluding workers at year-round meat and poultry plants. This legislation is a step forward, helping the turkey industry gain access to legal workers within the pool of general labor (semi-skilled) through a visa program that could address the needs of the meat and poultry industry, if implemented correctly,” the group said in a statement.

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