Steele agricultural employer pays over $18K in back wages, penalties after giving H-2A workers preferential treatment over U.S. workers

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Summary:

The U.S. Department of Labor's Wage and Hour Division conducted an investigation at Boatwright Farms LLC in Steele, Alabama, and found that the employer had violated labor laws. Specifically, the employer had paid 106 U.S. workers a lower rate than the H-2A workers they recruited, despite the law requiring equal pay. Additionally, the employer failed to provide accurate job descriptions, failed to issue wage statements, and violated the Migrant and Seasonal Workers Protection Act. As a result, the division recovered $8,862 in back wages and assessed $9,970 in civil money penalties against the employer.