The decision by the Trump administration to extend a freeze on temporary work visas has dealt another blow to Island business owners.
The decision by the Trump administration this week to extend a freeze on issuing green cards and other temporary work visas has dealt another blow to Island business owners, who are already critically short staffed this summer.
Included in the ban are J-1 and H-2B visas — two programs which have become an integral part of the Vineyard summer workforce. The visas allow restaurants, retail stores, hotels and ice cream shops to hire hundreds of foreign nationals each spring. In 2018, 872 J-1 visas were issued on the Island for the summer, while hundreds more H-2B visas run through the shoulder seasons.
The visa ban began in late April and was set to expire Monday before it was extended through the end of the year.
“Under ordinary circumstances, properly administered temporary worker programs can provide benefits to the economy,” the White House said in a June 22 statement. “But under the extraordinary circumstances of the economic contraction resulting from the Covid-19 outbreak, certain nonimmigrant visa programs authorizing such employment pose an unusual threat to the employment of American workers.”
Vineyard business owners reacted with dismay to the federal order.
Many depend on the J-1 and H-2B workers, who in recent years have hailed mostly from Eastern Europe and the Caribbean. And they said filling job openings with American workers is not a viable option.
Doug Abdelnour, who owns Nancy’s Restaurant and Nomans in Oak Bluffs, said at Nancy’s alone he typically employs upwards of 40 visa workers each summer as part of a 100-person staff. This year he has only 15 returning employees; all are clocking substantial overtime hours. He said he has no dishwashers, food runners or prep cooks. On Wednesday, Mr. Abdelnour spoke to the Gazette while running food orders himself.
“I have never had such a hard time finding employees as this year,” he said. “The positions that J-1 and H-2B workers used to fill are not being filled by American workers at all.”
Cong. Bill Keating, whose Cape and Islands district office oversees the visa program, said foreign workers who were issued a visa before the first ban in April are still able to come to the United States. But the pandemic disrupted travel and caused bottlenecks in application processing at the foreign embassies, meaning the vast majority of visa workers will not arrive at all this summer.
“Who is getting hurt by this?” Mr. Keating said, speaking to the Gazette by phone Thursday. “The answer is local businesses and local people who work in those businesses . . . they are depending on people that won’t be coming.”
Some Island business owners said they had not received a single application from a J-1 or H-2B worker yet this season, while usually the applications begin to pour in after Memorial Day. And while unemployment is high, business owners say they are seeing fewer applications from local workers this year too, in part because of generous government benefits for people who are out of work.
“There are a lot of people doing better at home than they would be working at an ice cream shop,” said JB Blau, who owns five restaurants on the Island.
Mr. Blau said for now he has consolidated his operation to just one restaurant — Sharky’s in Edgartown. He said he usually employs a staff of about 150, about a third of them visa workers. At the moment he has a staff of 30.
And he said the dearth of foreign workers on Island this year only serves to highlight their importance.
“I think the Island is realizing that foreign workers are absolutely necessary to supplement summer business,” Mr. Blau said. “It is more evident now than ever that the local population cannot handle demands for the summer season.”
Comments
Sad and unnecessary- bad for
Mit Gold EdgartownSad and unnecessary- bad for the Vineyard. Once again the incompetent evil pres makes the worst decision
Unfortunately in this case,
Roddy Seasonal VisitorUnfortunately in this case, what may be stressful.. temporarily.. for the Vineyard is absolutely a good thing for the country overall. Wouldn't you really rather have Americans filling all those positions? I understand it may be a bit of a challenge to maintain such a balanced and holistic perspective over a short 2 1/2 month seasonal period, but I believe it's necessary if you truly care more about your country as a whole than how it might affect business in your own back yard.. most likely for just one season. What's actually "sad" is that this "incompetent evil" President obviously cares more about your country than you do.
Roddy, thank you for the
Lorraine EdgartownRoddy, thank you for the answer re visa employment. I am getting vexed about everything being turned into identity politics. For gracious sake, leave off, already.
Did you read the article?
Nicole Oak BluffsDid you read the article? They can't fill the positions with Americans because no one wants to work.
Yeah, Americans are rushing
T Bone Oak BluffsYeah, Americans are rushing to fill dishwasher and food runner jobs.
Unfortunately, in this case,
Jane Norton ChilmarkUnfortunately, in this case, you've not paid much attention to the sheer numbers of workers needed to help the island summer economy function, nor the reality that most American college and high school students have to leave in mid- to late August even though the businesses will be running full tilt until after Labor Day. Where do you imagine these magically appearing American workers will come from for a few weeks of work when the cost of living virtually outstrips their earnings?
They are never going to. The
Wake Up On IslandThey are never going to. The myth that foreign workers “steal” jobs from Americans is just that, a myth.
Well said!! Islanders didn't
John Part-time Island residentWell said!! Islanders didn't want people coming to the Island at all earlier this Spring, but now that they need the money, they want people to come & eat, even though they cancelled ALL the Summer events. They have NEVER built housing for Summer help to live in, and only attracted foreign workers who will live in poor conditions. Now they blame the President for the mess THEY made. Typical Leftist thinking.
There are 40 million US
Right Whale HooterThere are 40 million US citizens on unemployment right now. Hire them.
How many unemployed are on
Kelce OBHow many unemployed are on the Island? Would you move to the Island for a 3 month gig?
Our college student, a Boston
Craig Columbus, OhOur college student, a Boston College student, applied to 10 businesses on MV 8-10 weeks ago. Not one of those 10 companies even responded to their applications! Not even a simple acknowledgement on receiving the application!
2 months ago most businesses
David New England2 months ago most businesses didn’t know whether, much less when they would be able to open. Many had no one in an office to respond. Some are out of business permanently. But many have gotten out of the habit of hiring US college kids because of the ease and Lower cost of hiring visa people. It’s been a source of tension for a long time. Some kids do want to work, but businesses can’t be bothered. And - they want kids who will commit to Labor Day and a full summer. Many won’t because classes or sports Practices start mid-August. Some of us have struggled with servers with a minimal command of English and sometimes a bad attitude. ANd there are still lots of people on island who would Still like the whole place shut down until no one gets sick ever again.
Probably because seasonal
MAB EdgartownProbably because seasonal businesses are open 6 months and students can only work the middle three.
Isn’t that the samw window of
Madison V.H.Isn’t that the samw window of the J-1 workers?
Because 8-10 wks ago
Cheryl Vineyard HavenBecause 8-10 wks ago businesses had no idea if they could even open. And if they could, no idea how much business they would have. Staffing for this summer is pure guess work & doing it with a few days notice that you will be able to open is next to impossible!!
What? There are hundreds of
Katama Point EdgartownWhat? There are hundreds of kids off island who would die to work on the island for the summer. Has anyone tried to recruit them?
Most businesses need people
MAB EdgartownMost businesses need people who can work full-time for 6 months. Unfortunately students aren't available.
Katama Point: Where would
Bijan C Bayne WashingtonKatama Point: Where would they stay?
Where do all the H2B workers
Andrew Moore VineyardWhere do all the H2B workers stay?
These employers will bend over backwards to get their foreign workers from other countries, why don’t they do the same to attract and recruit us workers from other states?
Because most Americans won’t
Mark EdgartownBecause most Americans won’t do the job for the wages being offered.
Owning a business on an
Lorraine EdgartownOwning a business on an island which is dependent upon tourism from mainlands etc., should find the business owner amenable to finding housing for the off island workers they employ. Being on an island involves certain difficulties and business owners should consider housing as a way to employ people. The above comment regarding people contacting island businesses and not acknowledging the applications or interest, seems strange to me. What would be the reason for that?
The comment regarding college
Sarah EdgartownThe comment regarding college students applying to and not hearing back is what our family experienced. But, my son followed up doggedly and does have a job. He is cleaning the pool, washing towels and helping with the hotel guest’s children. And HE LOVES IT. And they are Angel employers. These kids want to work! Keep advertising and target this demographic. It’s not perfect but it’s local and most have a place to stay.
A few weeks ago I was worried
Jimmyballgame9 WTA few weeks ago I was worried there wouldn’t be any business this season. Now I’m worried about something entirely different, a fairly busy season with no employees to work. Everybody Ive talked to says they have no employees to work in restaurants, hotels, Taxi companies, stores etc. Meanwhile the number of people coming to the island is alarming… I don’t think it will be the same volume of visitors as a regular summer, but it may be relatively close. And since nobody has any employees, things could get ugly. Hold onto your hats, it’s gonna be a bumpy ride this summer
Where would the foreign
William Edg.Where would the foreign workers stay?
$600/wk Federal pay is $31,200, plus whatever you get from the state, plus Mass Health, plus SNAP, plus a myriad of other programs. If I were young I would definitely not go back to work. $50 - $60K of benefits for doing nothing? Not even a choice.
The problem once again is
Chris Mara EdgartownThe problem once again is housing.
Simple solution. Raise pay
ZephyrSimple solution. Raise pay and benefits and you will attract more workers. The law of supply and demand.
This will finally expose
BS OBThis will finally expose those business owners who can and those who can't. For decades many businesses opened the front door, paid subsistence wages to overseas labor and sucked the money from tourists closing their shops as soon as the money tree dried up on Labor day. Many will close their doors for good after this summer and those with better business skills will replace them.
I have worked in the seasonal
Mvcliffs TisburyI have worked in the seasonal restaurant and hospitality industry for over ten years on MV. From my honest observations this will create an issue for businesses far greater than lack of employees. Its the quality of the work that will be missing... In my honest opinion and observation the majority of foreign workers J-1 Etc.... are far more hardworking, dedicated and driven than many of the American workers. I hate to say it, ( this is not always the case of course) but it is the work ethic and motivation of our population that needs to be looked at... Bussing tables, working the dish-pit, serving food etc. is not so appealing to many “pampered” Americans....Not to mention the hourly wage and tips in the eyes of the foreign worker is very appealing... especially if they are sharing a home with multiple people....(in many cases sub par living conditions which I have seen time and time again) At the end of it their hard earned money will go very far back home....While the hourly wage for an American who would not live in these conditions and needs a decent pay to make it through the winter is much less appealing! This brings to light many important issues.... fair pay, work ethic, housing issues, the list goes on.
“The positions that J-1 and H
JT MV“The positions that J-1 and H-2B workers used to fill are not being filled by American workers at all.”
Setting all the politics of this statement aside, my question is just this: What would ever make you think that after years and years of J-1 and H-2B filling the positions, that *this* year would be the year that all the Americans show up to fill the positions and save the season?
You can't really be surprised that that isn't the case, but the person making the statement seemed legit baffled.
The restaurant business model has been broken for a long time, and the island tourist-related business model even more so. That goes for everyone, not just restaurants.
Pay a fair wage and a day off
fact checker mvPay a fair wage and a day off or 2 per week and you might get an American college student. Nobody will work for nothing, and college kids need to have a day or 2 off. And to those who claim they need employees for 6 months... figure it out. Its full speed for July and August and slows WAY down in September except for maybe a weekend. A smart business would recruit college students who would be willing to return to the island on weekends from Boston Providence or CT to work during the school year. As far as housing. figure it out its part of YOUR business. Where do all the foreign workers live? if they arent here, the beds are empty. Fair wages attract workers. The posts about getting paid more to not work are not applicable to college students who are not eligable for unemployment since they were studying and NOT working during the winter.
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