According to the International Organization for Migration, “Immigration can have a positive effect on the labor market by increasing labor supply in sectors and occupations suffering from shortages of workers, as well as helping address mismatches in the job market.”
With more people in the world on the move than at any previous time in recorded history, policymakers throughout the Western Hemisphere have identified creative ways to match labor needs with interested workers from outside countries. Yet, much work remains to fully realize the benefits of labor migration. In the United States, the H-2A and H-2B visa programs have provided pathways to fill critical seasonal labor gaps. Elsewhere in the region, initiatives like the Canada–Guatemala Temporary Guest Worker Program are connecting employers with much-needed seasonal employees.
This conversation will explore efforts across the Americas to expand legal labor migration pathways while safeguarding workers’ rights.
Join the Inter-American Dialogue on Tuesday, April 29, from 10:00 am – 11:00 am ET for a virtual discussion on labor migration in the Western Hemisphere.
Follow this event on X (formerly Twitter) @The_Dialogue.
OPENING REMARKS
REBECCA BILL CHAVEZ
President & CEO, Inter-American Dialogue (@RebeccaBillChav)
SPEAKERS
DANY BAHAR
Senior Fellow and Director of the Migration Program, Center for Global Development (@dany_bahar)
MARCELA ESCOBARI
Senior Fellow for Global Economy and Development, Brookings Institution (MarcelaEscobari)
RAFAEL RODRIGUEZ
Former Minister of Labor and Social Welfare of Guatemala (2020-2024)
MODERATOR
ERIC JACOBSTEIN
Senior Fellow, Inter-American Dialogue and Founder and Principal, Puentes Global Advisory
