Bill Introduced to Exempt Employers from Paying UC Taxes on H-2A Workers

HARRISBURG – State Representative Torren Ecker (R- Adams) introduced a bill to exempt employers from paying unemployment compensation taxes on H-2A, H-2B and other foreign workers. As these workers would not be eligible to collect unemployment compensation, Representative Ecker reasoned that employers should not, therefore, be required to pay into the unemployment compensation fund.

The bill is in the House Labor and Industry Committee but, as yet, has seen no action.

PLNA Neutral on Bill

The bill is supported by the Pennsylvania Farm Bureau, however, PLNA has not taken a position on the bill. The way that the bill is constructed, it would not only exempt employers from paying UC taxes on H-2A and H-2B workers but would also exempt employers from paying UC taxes on undocumented workers. PLNA found this broad exemption to be problematic and decided to neither support nor oppose the bill.

The full text of the bill can be downloaded by clicking here.