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Good morning, Inequality Insights readers. I’m Wendy Fry.
A Sonoma County wine grape and vegetable grower will have to pay $31,102 in back wages and $18,154 in civil penalties for violating several requirements of the federal H-2A visa program, according to the U.S. Department of Labor. The H-2A program allows U.S. employers to hire temporary workers from abroad – mostly from Mexico – for agricultural jobs that are not filled by domestic workers. Employers receive much-needed labor by agreeing to meet certain conditions, such as providing safe and clean housing and adequate working conditions.
The department said its investigators found Humberto Castaneda Produce, based in Santa Rosa, paid workers below the promised rate on their contract, failed to provide tools, meals or kitchen facilities, and housed workers in dilapidated trailers and a garage, all in violation of the program requirements. The company did not respond to a CalMatters request for comment.