Representatives of the farming, construction and tourism industries have coalesced in support of a proposal that would allow Mexican workers to legally cross into the United States and fill the labor shortage in Arizona.
They came in full force to the Capitol to express a recurring complaint — that they lack the hands to work in farms, construction sites or restaurants, and that Congress has failed miserably to address the problem.
They said the proposal by Marsha Arzberger, a Democratic leader, and Rep. Bill Konopnicki, a Republican, would be a reasonable solution to the state’s labor shortage.
“We need to stop the argument as to whether Americans will or will not do certain jobs. Employers know the reality,” said Paul Van Hofwegen, an Arizona farmer. “Americans simply are not available to do many of the agriculture jobs. This is why we need this bill.”
Konopnicki said the proposal is a “proactive approach” to solve a real problem. “It is a myth,” he said, “to say that people are sitting around waiting for jobs and would just like the opportunity to go to work.”
The fact is the state faces a dire shortage of workers, Konopnicki said.
Arzberger said her proposal would not only address the shortage of labor, but that it also would lead to a diminishing number of illegal crossers, who would have the option of participating in the program. The ripple effect would be that law enforcement could concentrate on apprehending drug smugglers and criminals, she said.
Under the proposal, employers who want to participate must apply to the Industrial Commission of Arizona.
Workers convicted of a crime in the U.S. would be barred from the program; those convicted of a felony-level crime in Mexico also would not be allowed to participate in the program.
The setting up of the guest-worker program would be contingent on congressional approval.
“Ultimately the issue has to be solved at the federal level,” said Sheridan Bailey, president of Ironco Enterprises, a steel fabricator. “But what the state is doing here is putting its voice behind a constructive and necessary solution — which makes it difficult for Congress to ignore what the needs of our people are in this respect.”
Sen. Jake Flake, R-5, said the equation is simple. “We need the workers and they need the work,” he said. “And so we need to find a legal way for them to come and do this, and this guest-worker program will do this.”
Glenn Hamer, president of the Arizona Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said the proposal serves as a “wake-up call” to Congress on the need of a legal way to get workers.
“Our borders will not be secure until we figure out a temporary way to bring much-needed workers into this state’s economy. And this bill will do that,” Hamer said.
Arzberger said the proposal has safeguards.
Workers would have to undergo a background check, and the Industrial Commission may charge the employer a fee for each criminal record check.
Also under the proposal, workers would be given identification cards. They could work only in Arizona and would not be allowed to travel outside the state. The ID card would be revoked if the worker is absent for 14 consecutive days, cannot be located by an employer, determined to have traveled outside of Arizona, or convicted of a crime here.
The ID card is valid for two years and may be renewed upon approval by the Industrial Commission.