[20050121]RS21015_不利影响工资率（AEWR）.pdf

1 There is an extensive literature on the continuing quest of certain American employers for low-wage workers. See, for example, Roger Daniels, Asian America: Chinese and Japanese in the(continued.)Congressional Research Service The Library of CongressCRS Report for CongressReceived through the CRS WebOrder Code RS21015Updated January 21, 2005The Adverse Effect Wage Rate (AEWR)William G. WhittakerSpecialist in Labor EconomicsDomestic Social Policy DivisionSummaryAmerican agricultural employers have long utilized foreign workers on a temporarybasis, regarding them as an important manpower resource. Often employed at lowwages and under adverse conditions, such alien workers, some argue, may competeunfairly with U.S. workers. To mitigate any “adverse effect” for the domesticworkforce, a system of wage floors was developed that applies, variously, both to alienand citizen workers the adverse effect wage rate (AEWR). This report introducesthe AEWR and the concerns out of which it grew. It is written from the perspective oflabor policy, not of immigration policy. For further discussion of immigration and farmlabor issues, see CRS Report RL30395, Farm Labor Shortages and Immigration Polic