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ISSA Applauds Introduction of Essential Workers for Economic Advancement Act

ISSA has continuously advocated for the establishment of a non-seasonal temporary worker program that would allow businesses to legally hire foreign workers to fill essential jobs when American workers are not available. The long-standing labor shortages in the cleaning service industry will not be solved without access to foreign workers to supplement the labor pool.

The association is pleased that on March 28, Rep. Lloyd Smucker (R-PA) introduced the “Essential Workers for Economic Advancement Act” (HR 7239). The proposed legislation would create a year-round, non-seasonal temporary worker program, named the H-2C program. The program would be available for non-agricultural jobs with lower education thresholds that have been unfilled for extended periods of time. The H-2C visas would be issued for three years and would be renewable for up to an additional 6 years. During the first year of the program, the number of H-2C visas would be capped at 65,000 workers. After the first year, the number of visas would be based on market demand, but the total number annual visas could not exceed 85,000 or drop below 45,000 visas.

ISSA will continue to update you on the status of this legislation and other labor-related policy measures. For more information about ISSA’s advocacy efforts, please contact ISSA Government Affairs Manager Stacy Seiden.