Trump's New Regulation Cuts Wages for 400,000 Farmworkers by One-third | AI News Digest
On October 2, a new federal regulation took effect, sparking significant concern among labor advocates as it slashes wages for roughly 400,000 farmworkers across the United States, particularly those holding H-2A visas. According to the regulation published in the Federal Register, the hourly pay for Skill Level One farmworkers in California has been reduced to $16.45, falling just short of the state's minimum wage. Many workers previously earned $19.94 an hour. Additionally, the new rule allows growers to charge H-2A workers for their housing, further eroding their already limited earnings. Advocates worry that these changes could lead to the exploitation of vulnerable workers, who often find themselves under pressure from employers and lacking job security. This regulation is viewed as part of a larger trend that favors agricultural employers over the rights and well-being of farmworkers.
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