House Committee Hearing Explores H-2B Users' Efforts to Find U.S. Workers

Rep. George Miller (D-Calif.), chairman of the House Education and Labor Committee, held a committee hearing May 6 to discuss whether federal
programs ensure that U.S. workers are recruited first before employers hire from abroad.

The hearing was held almost three weeks after the House Judiciary Committee met to hear testimony about the merits and concerns of the seasonal guest-worker progam and whether it should be included in the broader immigration reform debate.

Last June, the committee heard testimony about the need to strengthen labor protections for guest workers in order to prevent workers from alleged exploitation and abuse from employers. This time, the question was whether there have been enough attempts to find U.S. citizens to perform the jobs.

"While many honest employers utilize guest worker programs to fill actual labor needs, this hearing will address a curious situation: at the same time that unemployment is rising, many businesses claim they cannot find U.S. workers," Miller said.

Speakers at the hearing included an economist and a representative from the U.S. Department of Labor. 

Click here to watch the Webcast from the hearing.