Take a moment to email, post on X, and/or call your congressional delegation to request their support for the bipartisan Essential Workers for Economic Advancement Act (HR 5494) to help alleviate chronic labor shortages in industries like cleaning, facility services, hospitality, and more. 

The current version of the legislation is similar to its predecessor, which was introduced in the last Congress, reflecting continued commitment from both sides of the aisle to address this important workforce issue. If enacted, the bill would create a year-round, non-seasonal temporary worker program (often referred to as the H-2C visa class) to fill non-agricultural jobs that remain unfilled and that do not require a college degree. 

Key elements of HR 5494 include:

• Market-based visa pilot system with a flexible annual cap of up to 65,000 positions based on economic conditions
• Employer and worker accountability
• Full portability for workers moving between approved employers
• Compliance tools
• Balanced safeguards

The legislation would give the cleaning industry, which continues to face long-term staffing gaps, a legal and structured way to expand its labor pool. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, more than 540,000 cleaning job openings are expected each year in the U.S.

On behalf of ISSA, the worldwide cleaning industry association, thank you for taking this action now to urge Congress to support workforce reform and HR 5494.