1. Agricultural Recruitment System (abbreviated) Technical Handbook
Agricultural Clearance System

2. Wagner-Peyser Act
Wagner-Peyser mandates the United States Employment Service maintain a system for the orderly movement of workers within and between States.
The regulations are based on the Department’s policy of requiring specific assurances and information in the Agricultural Clearance Orders.
Provide protection to the workers who are not seeking permanent relocation but rather temporary agricultural employment.

3. How the ARS( agricultural Recruitment System) Process Works
If labor needs are not met through the local job order, employer should be advised of option to clear order to the other local offices within the state.
With employer authorization, the local office submits an Intrastate Job Order. Please contact the State Monitor Advocate prior to initiating any Intra or Interstate job orders.

4. How the ARS Process Works
Monitor Advocate works with Regional Office who, in term will approve or disapprove the Interstate Clearance Orders.
If approved, the Regional Office determines the areas of supply to extend the order.
Local office is notified the Clearance Order has been approved, the local office then electronically sends the order directly to AJB, and to ETA designated State(s)

5. Who May Place an Agricultural Clearance Order?
Agricultural employer meeting definition at 20 CFR
Includes a person, firm, corporation, partnership, association, organization or registered Farm Labor Contractor (FLC)
If a FLC functions as an employer, a valid federal and state (if applicable) registration is required

6. ETA’s Regional Office Responsibilities
Approves or denies the Interstate Clearance Order within 10 working days from the date received from the SWA
The Agricultural Clearance Order Checklist should be used to review the Order to ensure compliance with applicable regulations.

7. Local office Responsibilities
Distributes copies of the approved Order and all necessary attachments including summary checklist to the following:
One copy to each State selected for recruitment.
One copy to the ETA Regional Office having jurisdiction over the state(s)to which the order has been extended.
One copy to the Regional Farm Labor Coordinated Enforcement Committee in the area of intended employment.

8. Job Center Responsibilities in States Selected for Recruitment
Begins recruitment of workers
Provides checklist of wages, working conditions and other information to the referred workers
The checklist is to be made available in English, Spanish, or any other language as necessary
Provides statement of worker’s rights to each referred worker
Makes a copy of the complete Clearance Order available for inspection

9. What to Submit as Clearance Order Package
Signed Form ETA 790, Agricultural and Food Processing Clearance Order which describes the terms and conditions of employment.
ETA 790 Attachments to furnish additional information, numbered accordingly
Signed assurances that employer will abide by the terms and conditions of the job order
Housing Approval or Request for Conditional Access

10. When to Place a Clearance Order
Order should be placed no later than 8 weeks before the date of need for the workers
NOTE
The earlier the order is placed, the greater the chance of finding workers

11. OHO (order holding office) Referral Responsibilities
Coordinate referrals
Makes all changes to terms and conditions in the Clearance Order by the employer after DOL approval
Contacts employers to assist in placing applicants
Confirms all actions concerning workers
Advises workers and provides community service information.
Need to add statement re: interviewing terminated or workers refused employment by the employer, giving workers opportunity to file a complaint

12. Regulations/Disclaimer Statements
The Clearance Order must comply with the regulations at 20 CFR
The Order must contain the required disclaimers.

13. Terms and Conditions of Employment
The terms and conditions must meet the following provisions:
The Order must not contain any unlawful discriminatory specification which is unrelated to job performance.
The Order must comply with applicable employment related Federal and State Laws.
The prevailing conditions among similarly employed farmworkers in the area of intended employment shall be the minimum benefits and working conditions.

14. Components of a Clearance Order
Nature of Employment
The scope of the job must be specified in terms of the crop and crop activities involved, the tasks to be performed, and the tools or equipment used
Employment Period
The duration of employment must cover the estimated hours of work per day and per week and the anticipated starting and ending dates of employment

15. Assurances
The regulatory assurances must be included as a part of all Clearance Orders
As the attachment of a signed copy of the Assurances statement (Appendix C)
As a statement on the ETA Form 790 agreeing to abide by the assurances.

16. Wage Information and Requirements
The wage rate for “each activity” may be no less than the highest of the following:
The prevailing wage rate
The Federal or the State minimum wage rate
The Adverse Effect Wage Rate (AEWR)

17. Wage Information
The wage rate requirement also applies to piece rates, base rates, or bonuses
In this instance, the employer must submit the method of calculating the wage rate and supporting materials to the local SWA office
The local office staff reviews the estimate to ensure compliance with the prevailing wage rate or
The applicable Federal or State minimum wage rate, or the AEWR, whichever is highest.

18. Wage Information
Any bonus or work incentive must be stated in the job order
The employer must specify how the bonus is earned
Payment of bonuses or incentives are not to be contingent upon the worker remaining in employment beyond the initial period of employment
Workers with children who need to return home for the beginning of the school year are entitled to wages, bonuses, incentives, and other expenses at the time of departure

19. Housing
A preoccupancy housing inspection is conducted by the Bureau of Migrant, Refugee & Labor Services Inspector.

20. Field Checks
The local office must conduct random, unannounced field checks of worksites.
Informal resolutions on observed violations must be made by the local office within 5 working days. Violations of employment related laws shall be referred to the appropriate enforcement agency.

21. Complaints
Job seekers referred on a Clearance Order must be given a copy of workers’ rights information
The workers have a right to file a complaint with the Employment Service if the employer violates the terms and conditions of the Clearance Order
Specific regulatory provisions are found at 20 CFR Part 658, Subpart E