With New York's unemployment on the decline, the need for seasonal workers has increased

ALBANY – New York's unemployment may be at its lowest rate in years, but seasonal employers in the state are still struggling to find workers.

It's an annual problem — particularly for farmers and landscapers who are often forced to rely on the federally-run H-2 visa programs, which give employers access to temporary migrant workers.

The programs can be difficult to navigate and cost employers thousands of dollars each year, according to people who use them.

"It's not the easiest program, you kind of need help with it," said Bob Fix, a fourth generation fruit farmer and co-proprietor of Fix Brothers Fruit Farm in Columbia County.

Read more: https://www.lohud.com/story/news/politics/albany/2019/07/02/why-ny-employers-rely-migrant-workers/1286286001/
(Lower Hudson Valley Journal News)