The U.S. seafood industry and members of Congress are fighting a federal order that will boost the wages of tens of thousands of migrant workers as much as 30 percent.
The H-2B program connects up to 66,000 foreign workers with seafood dealers, landscapers and other businesses to fill seasonal, low-skilled jobs that many Americans avoid.
The workers, many who come from Mexico, are typically paid the federal minimum wage, $7.25 an hour. That could change Oct. 1 when new Department of Labor rules kick in raising the hourly rate as much as $2.50 depending on the prevailing wage of where the business is located.
Some seafood dealers, such as Graham & Rollins in Hampton, worry the pay hike will put them out of business.
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