Ft. Myers News-Press

Florida Business

Friday, September 29, 2000

Immokalee group protests prososed guest worker bills

ORLANDO - The Coalition of Immokalee Workers on Thursday joined a picket line to protest various forms of guest worker bills currently in congressional committees.

The picket line of about 90 people formed outside of the Holiday Inn on International Drive, which was hosting a labor forum sponsored by the Florida Fruit and Vegetable Association and other grower organizations.

On Sept. 20 the House Judiciary Committee approved an agricultural guest-worker bill that one supporter predicted could bring in 1 million foreigners a year to harvest U.S. crops.

The current 50-year old guest worker program, more commonly known as H-2A, allows for importing foreign workers for seasonal agricultural jobs, but only when the federal labor department determines a labor shortage exists.

Southwest Florida growers say the current process is too slow and cumbersome to use.

But farm worker groups say the new legislation would be worse.

"There is no substitute for better wages, better working conditions, and more respect," said Greg Asbed, coalition staff member, following the protest.