February 13, 2024 – The Employment and Training Administration (ETA) of the Department of Labor (DOL) published the federal register notice regarding travel subsistence reimbursement for H-2A, H-2B, and allowable charges for agricultural workers’ meals (H-2A) effective immediately. The DOL also published the information on their website.
H-2A and H-2B Reimbursement for Travel-Related Meals: The maximum amount an employer is required to reimburse workers for daily travel-related subsistence, as evidenced with receipts, is $59.00 per day. If a worker has no receipts, the employer is now obligated to reimburse the minimum $15.88 per day (increased from $15.46).
H-2A Workers’ Meals: The DOL requires employers to offer their U.S. and H-2A workers three meals a day or free and convenient cooking and kitchen facilities so workers may prepare their own meals. Where the employer provides three meals a day the maximum allowable charge under 20 CFR 655.122(g) shall be no more than $15.88 per day, unless the OFLC Certifying Officer approves a higher charge.
H-2A and H-2B employers must pay reasonable travel and subsistence costs, including the costs of meals and lodging, incurred by workers during travel to the worksite from the place from which the worker has come to work for the employer and from the place of employment to the place from which the worker departed to work for the employer, as well as any such costs incurred by the worker incident to obtaining a visa authorizing entry to the United States for the purpose of H-2A or H-2B employment.