JACKSON, Miss. - The U.S. Department of Labor investigations of six Mississippi fish farms have led to the recovery of $102,176 in back wages for 123 workers and the assessment of $69,122 in civil money penalties against those firms. The violations included failure to reimburse H-2A workers for transportation and subsistence, travel-related expenses, and disclose accurate anticipated hours of work and bonus opportunities in the H-2A job order, and to pay the required rate of pay for U.S. workers in corresponding employment, and to disclose all conditions of employment. They also identified unlawful pay deductions and recordkeeping violations. The division’s investigations found the following employers owed back wages and assessed civil money penalties:
Company City Wages Penalties
Integrity Feeders Brookhaven n/a $5,182
Jubilee Farms Indianola $87,620 $33,416
Delta Hybrid Itta Bena n/a $3,037
Battle Fish North Tunica $149 $1,518
Magnolia Processing Tunica $11,383, $23,320
Phillips Brothers Yazoo City $3,024 $2,649
“The U.S. Department of Labor will continue to ensure all agricultural workers, both the H-2A and corresponding U.S. workers, are paid the wages they legally earned and are provided safe working, housing and transportation conditions,” said Wage and Hour Division District Director Audrey L. Hall in Jackson, Miss. The division is engaged in ongoing education, outreach and enforcement efforts to ensure Mississippi farms operate within federal law. Toll-free helpline (866) 4US-WAGE (487-9243) or visit the website to learn more about the Wage and Hour Division at WHD | U.S. Department of Labor (dol.gov)
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