WHD Hits H-2A Employer With $1.3 Million in Back Wages, $136,500 in Fines

The Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division (WHD) is assessing J&R Baker Farms LLC $1,311,644 in back wages owed to 244 workers and $136,500 in fines for violating provisions of the H-2A temporary agricultural worker program.

WHD found that the vegetable farm allegedly failed to provide at least 75 percent of the hours promised in the work contract. WHD is asking that an administrative law judge order the farm to pay $1,311,644 in back wages to 148 U.S. workers and 96 H-2A workers and pay a fine of $122,000.

The investigation also discovered that the farm failed to provide a copy of the H-2A work contract at the time of recruitment to 29 U.S. workers who performed the same type of work as the H-2A workers. The Department is recommending a fine of $14,500 for that offense.

See also: A press release announcing the findings.