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Committee hears bill to ensure
a stable, legal workforce for Washington businesses
Editor's Note: A link to the committee hearing is
included at the bottom.
Several small businesses from around the state testified on
House Bill 1896, which would create an essential worker pilot
program. The bill is sponsored by
Rep. Bruce
Chandler, R-Granger, who said he is concerned about access
to an adequate, stable, legal workforce for Washington businesses.
A
florist from Belfair explained how difficult it is to prove a companies'
need for more employees. A frustrated orchardist from Cashmere
encouraged the committee to take leadership on the issue for the rest of
the nation to follow.
One small business owner said he feared being sent to jail because too
many seasonal workers may be illegal. He urged the committee to push the
legislation forward because he sees the federal government taking no
action.
"This bill is not supposed to solve the immigration problem," Chandler
said. "My concern is with the two to five percent of agricultural
production that is left in the field because only 75 to 80 percent of
the work force needed is available."
Chandler said the reality of Washington's labor shortage is shown by a
federal worker program that requires employers to seek local labor
before seeking labor from a host worker program.
"Employers put out requests for hundreds of positions in their area and
receive maybe a handful of applications," Chandler said. "The labor
shortage here is very dynamic, so we need to have options. We have to
ensure we're creating jobs, but still growing the economy, which
sometimes means we have to look for work elsewhere."
The bill awaits executive action to be taken by the
Commerce and Labor Committee.
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For more information, contact:
Sarah Lamb, Public Information
Officer - (360) 786-7720
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