Georgia can expect immigration reform to bring labor shortages, according the State Labor Commissioner Michael Thurmond. He spoke at a conference Wednesday on Georgia's workforce.
Thurmond calls immigration reform inevitable and says business owners should expect a "severe shortage" of cheap, undocumented workers, especially from Mexico.
The Commissioner doesn't have specific figures. But he says industries like agriculture, construction and hospitality could be hurt if Congress and a new President tighten the tap on immigration.
"Where will the workers come from?" Thurmond asks. "The primary focus of this conference will be to help employers and business leaders see how you can access what I refer to as marginalized workers."
For example, people with criminal records have had some success taking jobs commonly filled by foreign workers, such as in poultry plants and restaurants. The Georgia Workforce Conference continues through Friday.
Thurmond calls immigration reform inevitable and says business owners should expect a "severe shortage" of cheap, undocumented workers, especially from Mexico.
The Commissioner doesn't have specific figures. But he says industries like agriculture, construction and hospitality could be hurt if Congress and a new President tighten the tap on immigration.
"Where will the workers come from?" Thurmond asks. "The primary focus of this conference will be to help employers and business leaders see how you can access what I refer to as marginalized workers."
For example, people with criminal records have had some success taking jobs commonly filled by foreign workers, such as in poultry plants and restaurants. The Georgia Workforce Conference continues through Friday.
