‘They can bring so much’: Despite barriers, Afghan evacuees enrich Wisconsin’s workforce


‘They can bring so much’: Despite barriers, Afghan evacuees enrich Wisconsin’s workforce
Wisconsin is in a labor crunch. Evacuees and other immigrants can help — if they can navigate transportation and other obstacles. Ali Akbar Gholami arrived in the United States last September with little more than his work ID. He had no time to gather much else as the Taliban took over the Afghanistan capital of Kabul and escalated a humanitarian crisis, prompting the U.S. to airlift him and 76,000 Afghan nationals to safety. But Gholami — who speaks fluent English, studied civil aviation for two years and previously worked at Kabul International Airport — brought skills and a work ethic that American employers desire amid a tight labor market. That’s particularly the case in Gholami’s new home state of Wisconsin, where the unemployment rate has dipped below 3%, pushing employers to boost salaries and benefits to attract and retain talent... ...more Ken Notes: I saw this firsthand in the dairy industry and tourism is begging for help. We need an immigration policy that works with immigrants to make them a productive part of our economy. I knew a number of farmers who worked with families to ensure their cows were milked and the employees were taken care of.

- - Volume: 10 - WEEK: 19 Date: 5/5/2022 8:33:56 AM -

Wisconsin is in a labor crunch. Evacuees and other immigrants can help — if they can navigate transportation and other obstacles.

Ali Akbar Gholami arrived in the United States last September with little more than his work ID. He had no time to gather much else as the Taliban took over the Afghanistan capital of Kabul and escalated a humanitarian crisis, prompting the U.S. to airlift him and 76,000 Afghan nationals to safety.

But Gholami — who speaks fluent English, studied civil aviation for two years and previously worked at Kabul International Airport — brought skills and a work ethic that American employers desire amid a tight labor market. That’s particularly the case in Gholami’s new home state of Wisconsin, where the unemployment rate has dipped below 3%, pushing employers to boost salaries and benefits to attract and retain talent...

...more

Ken Notes: I saw this firsthand in the dairy industry and tourism is begging for help. We need an immigration policy that works with immigrants to make them a productive part of our economy. I knew a number of farmers who worked with families to ensure their cows were milked and the employees were taken care of.