Employer Services

Migrant Seasonal Farm Worker       Program  (MSFW) in Kentucky

		About the MSFW Program
		H-2A Program Housing Inspections for Northern Kentucky
		Statewide Program Coordinator of the H-2A Program
		State Monitor Advocate of the H-2A Program

The Migrant Seasonal Farmworker program has two components. They are the Agricultural Recruitment Program (domestic workers) and the H2A Program workers (nonimmigrant alien workers). The recruitment of domestic involves placing an interstate clearance order which may be served locally or by a supplier state (i.e. Texas, Florida). The H2A Program establishes a means for agricultural employers who anticipate a shortage of domestic workers to apply for permission to bring into the United States nonimmigrant aliens to perform agricultural labor or services of a temporary or seasonal nature.

The greatest activity in Northern Kentucky is with the H2A Program. The agricultural employer is required to file a signed application with the U.S. Department of Labor, Regional Administrator, Employment and Training Administration in the region of intended employment. At the same time, a copy of the application must be filed with the local office of the Kentucky Department for Employment Services in the area of the intended employment. Certain conditions relevant to a domestic worker recruitment effort, implementation of a prevailing wage, housing which meets OSHA standards, meals, transportation, tools, and guarantee of employment must be met. The Department for Employment Services is responsible for assisting agricultural employers with recruitment, monitoring compliance with requisite conditions, accepting and forwarding complaints from workers, and conducting a prevailing wage survey.

Patrick Gaines has responsibility for the H-2A Program Housing Inspections for Northern Kentucky. If questions exist please feel free to contact Mr. Gaines at
(502) 564-7456, by Fax at (502) 564-7459 or at the address below.

275 E. Main St.
2^nd Floor West
Frankfort Ky, 40601

The Statewide Program Coordinator of the H-2A Program is Paul Friedlander. He can be reached by phone at 270-575-7044 or 270-575-7000 (before 8:00 a.m., Central Daylight Time) or by FAX at 270-575-7008 or by cell phone at 270-519-4737. If 
Mr. Friedlander is unavailable, time sensitive questions or calls should be directed to the MSFW State Monitor Advocate, Jody Hughes at 502-564-7456.
                   

320 Garrard Street
Covington, KY  41011-1790
Phone 859-292-6666
Fax 859-292-6675

8020 Veterans Memorial Drive
Florence, KY  41042-1895
Phone 859-371-0808
Fax 859-371-5103