US Department of Labor recovers USD31k in wages for 23 farmworkers after Sonoma Country grower violated H-2A program requirements
အကျဉ်းချုပ်
Date Reported: 18 Sep 2024
Location: United States of America
Companies
Humberto Castaneda Produce - Employer , Safeway USA (part of Albertsons) - Buyer , Albertsons - Other Value Chain EntityAffected
Total individuals affected: Number unknown
Migrant & immigrant workers: ( Number unknown - Location unknown , Agriculture & livestock , Gender not reported , Documented migrants ) , Workers: ( Number unknown - United States of America , Agriculture & livestock , Gender not reported , Documented migrants )Issues
Recruitment Fees , Right to Food , Precarious/Unsuitable Living Conditions , Occupational Health & Safety , Wage TheftResponse
Response sought: Yes, by BHRRC
Story containing response: (Find out more)
Action taken: The US Department of Labor (DoL) fined Humberto Castaneda Produce USD31,102 in back wages and USD18,154 in civil penalties having established numbers abuses of H2-A seasonal farmworkers employed at the farm. The US DoL press release said Humberto Castaneda Produce suppliers to large clients including Safeway supermarkets; BHRRC invited Albertsons to respond, it did not.
Source type: News outlet
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A U.S. Department of Labor Wage and Hour Division investigation found grower Humberto Castaneda Produce violated numerous requirements under the H-2A temporary agricultural worker program. Investigators found the employer paid higher rates to workers with H-2A visas than to local workers, failed to provide tools, meals or kitchen facilities to workers, housed workers in dilapidated trailers not up to code and did not reimburse inbound and outbound transportation costs. Additionally, the grower did not secure safe transportation, used uncertified drivers lacking licenses and paid workers below the promised rate on their contract.
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