Titan Farms, a South Carolina-based company specializing in providing fresh and frozen fruits and vegetables to major U.S. retailers, has been found to have unlawfully deducted political contributions and cleaning fees from over 1,300 seasonal foreign workers, as per federal officials.
Described as the largest peach grower on the East Coast, Titan Farms was found to have violated regulations of the H-2A program by coercing workers to make political donations that resulted in their wages falling below the mandated hourly rate of $11.13. Additionally, the company was discovered to have imposed a cleaning fee on workers for housing provided by the employer, according to the U.S. Department of Labor.
In response to the violations, Titan Farms has been ordered to pay a total of $338,446 to the affected 1,341 workers, with over $200,000 already disbursed to approximately half of those impacted. Efforts are currently underway to locate and provide the remaining 617 workers, collectively owed $132,308, with their rightful compensation, as stated by the agency.
Jamie Benefiel, the District Director of the wage and hour division at the U.S. Department of Labor in Columbia, South Carolina, emphasized the importance of upholding fair payment practices for all workers under the H-2A program. Benefiel stressed that deductions from workers’ wages must be explicitly outlined in the employment contract and should not be imposed otherwise.
Benefiel urged the public to assist in identifying and reaching out to the workers who are owed wages due to the unlawful deductions. The Department of Labor is committed to ensuring that all workers, including those participating in the H-2A program, are treated fairly and compensated appropriately for their labor, as per Benefiel.
Titan Farms, operating on a vast expanse of 6,200 acres in Ridge Springs, South Carolina, is a significant supplier of vegetables and peaches, distributing its produce to nearly two dozen prominent grocery chains across the nation, such as Aldi, Costco, Kroger, Publix, and Walmart.
In response to the allegations, Titan Farms did not provide an immediate comment regarding the situation. However, the company’s website stated, “Titan Farms is proud to participate in the H-2A temporary seasonal worker program. Each of our workers enters the United States with proper documentation to work at Titan Farms. We value our workforce and acknowledge their substantial contribution to the success of our operations.”
Apart from the monetary penalties imposed on Titan Farms for the violations related to wage deductions, the company was also fined $2,850 for infractions, including allowing workers to travel in unsafe vehicles.
In other news, California authorities have issued updates on the ongoing fires in Los Angeles and announced school closures in affected areas. Additionally, Senator Bob Menendez is set to be sentenced in a bribery case.
