Titan Farms, a South Carolina firm that provides contemporary and frozen vegetables and fruit to main U.S. retailers, illegally deducted political contributions and cleansing charges from greater than 1,300 seasonal international staff, in accordance with federal officers.
Billed as the most important peach grower on the East Coast, Titan violated H-2A program guidelines by requesting staff make political contributions that introduced their pay beneath the required $11.13 hour charge; and by charging staff a cleansing payment for employer-provided housing, the U.S. Department of Labor discovered.
Titan was required to pay $338,446 to 1,341 staff, with greater than $200,000 distributed to about half of these affected. The company is now looking for the remaining 617 staff collectively owed $132,308, it stated.
“We are asking the general public to help us in finding these staff owed wages,” Jamie Benefiel, the DOL’s wage and hour division district Director in Columbia, South Carolina, mentioned in a information launch.
“Employers have a elementary accountability to make sure that all staff who come legally to the U.S. underneath the H-2A program are paid pretty,” Benefiel mentioned. “Deductions from staff’ wages are forbidden except they’re explicitly included within the contract.”
“We are asking the general public to help us in finding these staff owed wages,” Benefiel added.
A significant provider of greens and peaches, the 6,200-acres operations in Ridge Springs, South Carolina, grows and ships its produce to just about two dozen grocery chains nationwide, together with Aldi, Costco, Kroger, Publix and Walmart.
Titan didn’t instantly reply to requests for remark.
“Titan Farms is proud to take part within the H-2A momentary seasonal employee program. East of the employees enters the United States with a passport and visa to work at Titan Farms,” in accordance to the corporate’s web site. “The farm is happy with every member of its workforce and realizes the affect these staff have on the general success of Titan Farms.”
Titan was additionally fined $2,850 in civil penalties for violations together with letting staff journey in unsafe autos.
