Labor Secretary Hilda Solis wasted no time in getting down to business after being sworn in last week. Her first major move was to reverse a last minute Bush change to the H-2A agricultural guestworker program.

The changes lowered the wage formula and reduced government oversight in an industry already rife with abuses against migrant workers.

On Solís’ first day in office, the Labor Department announced in a statement “the proposed suspension for nine months” of the rule. Solís said in the release:

Because many stakeholders have raised concerns about the H-2A regulations, this proposed suspension is the prudent and responsible action to take.

Suspending the rule would allow the department to review and reconsider the regulation, while minimizing disruption to state workforce agencies, employers and workers.

So nice to see some movement towards helping immigrant workers from the Obama administration.

Via / Feet in 2 Worlds