A group of 74, mostly Republican, House members are calling on Congress to freeze H-2A guestworker wages in upcoming funding legislation. In a Jan. 11 letter to House and Senate Appropriations Committee leaders, they contend that the H-2A labor rates paid by agricultural employers have become unaffordable. They note that recent adjustments to the Adverse Effect Wage Rate have more than doubled over the past two decades.

American Farm Bureau Federation data shows the national average AWER is likely to be around $17.55 per hour. That is up 5% compared to 2023. At the same time Canadian producers pay closer to $11 per hour for field workers. Mexico’s rate is approximately $1.50 per hour.

“For farmers and ranchers who use H-2A, the skyrocketing AEWR will only compound inflated input costs like energy and fertilizer, other guest worker expenses like transportation and housing, and burdens from several impending federal regulations and fees,” the lawmakers said. “USDA data shows that hired farm labor costs account for nearly 15% of total cash expenses.”

They add that more labor-intensive industries will be hardest hit, including specialty crop growers, who already spend nearly 40% of their total cash expenses on labor alone. If nothing is done, lawmakers argue that many of their constituents will be forced shutter their businesses.

“While more permanent solutions are needed to address the AEWR’s past impact and its future trajectory, we request that an upcoming government funding vehicle prohibit funds from being used to implement a wage increase or otherwise freeze the H-2A wage rates at January 2023 levels,” they said.