Mexican day laborers move their work to Puerto Rico

1The Consulate of Mexico in Puerto Rico reported that 21 Mexicans arrived in Puerto Rico to work on various farms to cultivate and harvest crops, given the shortage of labor in the field.

RICARDO ARDUENGO AFP

2Puerto Rican Governor Pedro Pierluisi welcomed the agricultural labor force from Mexico.

RICARDO ARDUENGO AFP

3La Finca González in Guánica in southwestern Puerto Rico received a group of Mexican workers.

RICARDO ARDUENGO AFP

4The Mexicans arrived on the island through the H2-A visa, which allows agricultural workers to work temporarily in the United States or in its territories.

RICARDO ARDUENGO AFP

5In Puerto Rico, the unemployed receive a weekly bonus of $ 300 in addition to the unemployment benefit due to the pandemic.

RICARDO ARDUENGO AFP

6 Mexican day laborers receive $ 7.25 per hour, which is the minimum wage in the United States, however it is not a sufficient wage for Puerto Rican workers.

RICARDO ARDUENGO AFP

7 Employers must offer temporary employment, show that there are not enough capable US workers to perform those tasks, and show that hiring foreigners will not affect the pay and working conditions of US citizens who have similar tasks, according to official information.

RICARDO ARDUENGO AFP

8The group of Mexicans will be working in Puerto Rico until the beginning of July.

MEXICAN CONSULATE