Gov. Phil Scott and seven of his counterparts from other states wrote a letter to President Joe Biden asking for more foreign exchange work visas. “For the country, 20,000 was asked but Gov. Scott would like to see the number even higher,” says Jason Maulucci, press secretary for Gov. Scott’s Office. H2B visas allow businesses like Vermont’s Basin Harbor Club to hire foreign workers if there aren’t enough U.S. citizens applying for jobs“We’re in a hard spot here as a seasonal employer because while we would love for everyone to live two minutes down the road and commute to work, we only can offer about six months of employment,” says Sarah Morris, fifth-generation host at Basin Harbor. The governor hopes an expansion will help solve staffing shortages and increase diversity. “I don’t think you can find a business right now that doesn’t have a help wanted sign on the front door. In Vermont alone, we have over 10,000 open jobs available,” Maulucci said.Basin Harbor says the six-month-long permit process that starts in the winter for the busy summer season is worth it because they help fill open positions with quality staff.“If for any reason they’re terminated while they’re working for us or the relationship doesn’t work out, they could be sent home. So it is a somewhat precarious position for the staff member where they’re that much more invested in the position,” Morris said.The governor’s office is waiting on a response from the president.
Gov. Phil Scott and seven of his counterparts from other states wrote a letter to President Joe Biden asking for more foreign exchange work visas.
“For the country, 20,000 was asked but Gov. Scott would like to see the number even higher,” says Jason Maulucci, press secretary for Gov. Scott’s Office.
H2B visas allow businesses like Vermont’s Basin Harbor Club to hire foreign workers if there aren’t enough U.S. citizens applying for jobs
“We’re in a hard spot here as a seasonal employer because while we would love for everyone to live two minutes down the road and commute to work, we only can offer about six months of employment,” says Sarah Morris, fifth-generation host at Basin Harbor.
The governor hopes an expansion will help solve staffing shortages and increase diversity.
“I don’t think you can find a business right now that doesn’t have a help wanted sign on the front door. In Vermont alone, we have over 10,000 open jobs available,” Maulucci said.
Basin Harbor says the six-month-long permit process that starts in the winter for the busy summer season is worth it because they help fill open positions with quality staff.
“If for any reason they’re terminated while they’re working for us or the relationship doesn’t work out, they could be sent home. So it is a somewhat precarious position for the staff member where they’re that much more invested in the position,” Morris said.
The governor’s office is waiting on a response from the president.
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