Shortage Of Foreign Labor Forces Maine Businesses To Hire Local Workers 07/13/2017 Businesses in Bar Harbor, Maine are turning to locals to make up for a shortage of foreign guest workers that normally fill summer jobs in the bustling seaside resort town.Because the H-2B visa program has already reached its annual quota, Bar Harbor’s hotels, restaurants and shops can’t bring in any more foreign workers for the rest of the busy summer tourist season. Like hundreds of similar coastal resort towns, Bar Harbor has for many years depended on the H-2B visas for temporary workers. The program allows non-agricultural companies to bring in foreign labor if they are unable to find suitable employees domestically.Now they are coming up with creative ways to attract local labor, reports the Bangor Daily News. The shortage is so acute that companies are sweetening incentives for local workers. Searchfield says some businesses are offering flexible schedules that might appeal to older workers who might be interested in working only a day or two each week. And other companies have gone so far as to offer higher wages to entice locals. http://dailycaller.com/2017/07/13/s...orces-maine-businesses-to-hire-local-workers/
If it is possible companies should pay higher wages. But, what is the best way to get the cooperation of business? Let me be frank with you. Those who propose to penalize employers have a bass ackwards way of approaching the problem. If we don't allow the employer to hire the employee of their choice and begin penalizing them, they will pull up stakes and head for China. I say, allow the employer to hire whomever they want. The tax rate is 39 percent. But, let's incentivize employers to hire Americans: 1) A tax break for employers that hire an all American staff 2) Additional tax breaks to take people off the unemployment line, welfare and put the handicapped to work 3) Another tax break to bring jobs back to the U.S. 4) Tax incentive to have a starting wage 15 percent above poverty level wage 5) A tax break to give those with criminal records a second chance Even the lowliest of employers (like a sandwich shop) can get at least three of those tax breaks. But, if an employer could utilize all those breaks, their tax rate could be 12 percent or lower. Imagine paying at least 25 percent less in taxes each year!
