The U.S. Department of Labor's Employment and Training Administration and its Wage and Hour Division have announced the final rule to better the H-2B temporary nonagricultural worker program.

The rule, which is set to publish in the Feb. 21 edition of the Federal Register, includes amendments to several parts of the program to ensure U.S. workers receive greater job access with stronger worker protections. With the H-2B program, foreign workers are allowed to enter the United States on a temporary basis when qualified U.S. workers are not available, and the employment of those foreign workers will not negatively impact the wages and working conditions of U.S. workers. Visas are now limited to a maximum of 66,000 per year.

"The H-2B program is designed to help businesses when there is a temporary shortage of U.S. workers," says Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis. "The rule announced today will ensure that the program is used as intended by making these jobs more accessible to U.S. workers and providing stronger protections for every worker."