Key Takeaways:
- H2 Organizer, a new technology platform, launched to assist U.S. employers in managing H-2 visa workers.
- MiChamba, a companion mobile app, connects H-2 visa workers with their employers for document management and communication.
- The platform offers features such as digital onboarding, compliance alerts, and secure pay cards.
- Supported by WAFLA, Western Growers, and the Scaroni Family of Companies, H2 Organizer is designed to streamline HR processes and compliance for seasonal workers.
- The platform focuses on providing tools for efficient workforce management while ensuring regulatory compliance.
The technology platform H2 Organizer officially launched today, partnering with agricultural staffing solution providers across the United States. This platform is designed to streamline the management of H-2 visa workers, with a focus on saving time and maintaining compliance for employers and seasonal workers.
MiChamba, a mobile application integrated with H2 Organizer, was also introduced. The app connects H-2 visa farmworkers with their sponsoring employers, offering features such as document storage and communication tools. The app is currently available through employers, with plans to expand in the future.
Key Features of H2 Organizer and MiChamba:
- Digital Onboarding: Simplifies the onboarding and training of H-2 visa and domestic workers.
- Real-time Worker Locator: Tracks worker locations to optimize logistics.
- Compliance Tracking: Monitors compliance issues and deadlines, sending automated alerts.
- Digital Pay Cards: Provides secure, instant access to earnings.
- HR Platform: Centralizes HR processes for H-2 visa workers.
- Progressive Discipline: Allows for documentation of issues through an integrated workflow.
- Multilingual Messaging: Facilitates communication between employers and workers.
- Ad-hoc Paperwork: Manages forms for unexpected events with on-demand templates.
- Document Management: Tracks expiration dates and deadlines with a shared calendar.
Cesar Martinez, Chief Strategy Officer of H2 Organizer, commented on the platform’s capabilities. “H2 Organizer consolidates tools for managing workers, making processes such as payroll and onboarding more efficient. MiChamba provides workers with mobile access to documents and management communication.”
Focus on Compliance
H2 Organizer was developed by industry professionals with experience in H-2 visa regulations. The platform offers tools to assist employers in staying compliant with regulatory requirements, including document tracking and automated reminders.
Ruben Lugo, former Regional Agricultural Enforcement Coordinator for the U.S. Department of Labor, Wage and Hour Division, noted that many employers face challenges in producing records during investigations. He pointed out that technology can help address these challenges by keeping employers organized and compliant with the H-2A program.
Industry Collaboration
H2 Organizer is supported by partnerships with organizations such as WAFLA, Western Growers, and the Scaroni Family of Companies, which serve a broad base of employers and seasonal workers in the U.S.
Enrique Gastelum, CEO of WAFLA, stated that H2 Organizer combines technology with HR management while maintaining the personal connection between employers and workers.
Jason Resnick, Senior Vice President and General Counsel at Western Growers, described the platform as a way to digitize and automate the onboarding process. He mentioned that the platform also helps employers with compliance workflows, such as audit trails and reminders, which are useful for maintaining organization and readiness for audits.
David Scaroni, a partner at Scaroni Family of Companies, highlighted the platform’s ability to address the needs of both recruiters and employers.
H2 Organizer, along with its partner organizations, aims to improve how seasonal agricultural workers and their employers manage HR processes and compliance requirements.
