Federal court orders labor contractor to pay more than $1M in back wages, penalties after investigations find repeated violations of farmworkers’ rights

Summary:

A federal court in California has entered a consent judgment against Rancho Nuevo Harvesting Inc., a farm labor contractor, ordering payment of over $1 million in back wages and penalties. The U.S. Department of Labor's Wage and Hour Division found the employer repeatedly violated the H-2A agricultural worker program, underpaying workers, failing to provide meals and safe housing, and making false statements during the certification process. Specifically, investigators found issues with food, housing, transportation, and pay, as well as illegal waivers and deceitful practices. The court ordered the employer to pay back wages to 649 workers and penalties of $475,211, and permanently prohibited it from future H-2A program violations.