A former farmworker in the Salinas Valley has achieved his dream of owning a farm. Titan Farms, a South Carolina company that supplies fresh produce to major U.S. retailers, was found to have illegally deducted political contributions and cleaning fees from over 1,300 seasonal foreign workers. The U.S. Department of Labor discovered that Titan violated H-2A program rules by requesting workers to make political contributions that brought their pay below the required rate and by charging them a cleaning fee for housing. The company was required to pay $338,446 to the affected workers, with efforts being made to locate and compensate the remaining workers.
Titan Farms, known as the largest peach grower on the East Coast, operates a 6,200-acre farm in Ridge Springs, South Carolina, supplying produce to major grocery chains nationwide. Although Titan Farms did not immediately respond to requests for comment, they claim to be proud participants in the H-2A temporary seasonal worker program. The company’s website states that workers enter the U.S. legally with a passport and visa to work at Titan Farms and acknowledges the importance of their contributions to the farm’s success.
In addition to the financial penalties imposed by the Department of Labor, Titan Farms was also fined for other violations, including allowing workers to travel in unsafe vehicles. The case serves as a reminder of the importance of fair pay and treatment for all workers, especially those participating in temporary worker programs like H-2A.
Note: The image is for illustrative purposes only and is not the original image associated with the presented article. Due to copyright reasons, we are unable to use the original images. However, you can still enjoy the accurate and up-to-date content and information provided.
