California Produce Company Faces $6M Penalty for Wage Violations Against Farmworkers

A California produce company has been fined a staggering $6.7 million due to wage violations that impacted over 10,000 farmworkers. This significant settlement was reached between the California Labor Commissioner’s Office (LCO) and Santa Maria-based Alco Harvesting LLC, which operates under the name Bonipak Produce Inc.

The investigation revealed that Alco Harvesting failed to provide essential written notices regarding paid sick leave and COVID-19 supplemental paid sick leave to its farmworkers. During the early stages of the pandemic, many workers were unaware of their paid sick leave entitlements, which effectively discouraged them from taking time off when they were unwell. This lack of awareness significantly increased the risk of COVID-19 transmission among workers.

In a troubling report, it was noted that some farmworkers suspected of having COVID-19 were quarantined in overcrowded motel rooms provided by the employer. The situation escalated to the point where an investigation was initiated in 2020 after the LCO received information about a farmworker living in employer-provided housing who tragically died from COVID-19.

Further investigations uncovered additional labor law violations, including unpaid transportation time, overtime discrepancies, and minimum wage infractions. The LCO has announced that it will distribute $4.2 million directly to the affected farmworkers. Additionally, $1.5 million will be allocated to address minimum wage violations and unpaid sick leave. The settlement also includes non-monetary relief measures, such as mandatory postings and notifications to H-2A workers regarding their rights to paid sick leave.

Topics
California
Agribusiness

A California produce company has been fined a staggering $6.7 million due to wage violations that impacted over 10,000 farmworkers. This significant settlement was reached between the California Labor Commissioner’s Office (LCO) and Santa Maria-based Alco Harvesting LLC, which operates under the name Bonipak Produce Inc.

The investigation revealed that Alco Harvesting failed to provide essential written notices regarding paid sick leave and COVID-19 supplemental paid sick leave to its farmworkers. During the early stages of the pandemic, many workers were unaware of their paid sick leave entitlements, which effectively discouraged them from taking time off when they were unwell. This lack of awareness significantly increased the risk of COVID-19 transmission among workers.

In a troubling report, it was noted that some farmworkers suspected of having COVID-19 were quarantined in overcrowded motel rooms provided by the employer. The situation escalated to the point where an investigation was initiated in 2020 after the LCO received information about a farmworker living in employer-provided housing who tragically died from COVID-19.

Further investigations uncovered additional labor law violations, including unpaid transportation time, overtime discrepancies, and minimum wage infractions. The LCO has announced that it will distribute $4.2 million directly to the affected farmworkers. Additionally, $1.5 million will be allocated to address minimum wage violations and unpaid sick leave. The settlement also includes non-monetary relief measures, such as mandatory postings and notifications to H-2A workers regarding their rights to paid sick leave.

Topics
California
Agribusiness