The Department of Labor has eliminated the requirement that employers inform U.S. workers of available agricultural job opportunities by publishing listings in the local print newspaper.
Additionally, the DOL is reversing an earlier proposal that would have required employers to place an advertisement on websites that are “widely viewed.” Instead, the department is enhancing its electronic job registry, SeasonalJobs.dol.gov, where U.S. agricultural jobs will be listed.
The final rule will go into effect on Oct. 21, 2019.
In the discussion of the final rule, the DOL said newspapers “did not point to data that showed such advertisements are effective in recruiting U.S. workers for agricultural positions.”
The agency also noted it was backing away from its proposal that employers take out ads on “widely viewed” websites after receiving comments from employers who said they do not have access to the Internet or do not use the Internet for religious reasons.
DOL stated that by listing job opportunities on SeasonalJobs.dol.gov, employers in rural areas will not need to have access to the Internet. These job listings will be provided by state workforce agencies that will have an enhanced role in the labor certification program.
