Farms in Half Moon Bay will pay their workers $450,000 in back wages and damages as a result of an investigation kicked off after a fatal shooting, according to federal officials.
California Terra Gardens and Concord Farms Inc. in Half Moon Bay were investigated for mistreating workers and providing unhealthy living conditions, according to the Labor Department. The department discovered that both farms had violated worker protection laws, resulting in back wages and damages being paid to the employees.
The Labor Department released a statement on Monday, revealing that investigations revealed subpar housing conditions with mold and insect infestations. These infractions were in violation of the Migrant and Seasonal Agricultural Worker Protection Act and the Fair Labor Standards Act.
Alberto Raymond, the wage and hour division assistant district director, shared in the release that workers at California Terra Gardens and Concord Farms were forced to live in unhealthy environments, filled with trash and insects. Workers at California Terra Gardens were placed in cramped and dilapidated living quarters, while those at Concord Farms faced moldy, makeshift rooms infested with insects.
At California Terra Gardens, it was discovered that 39 workers were housed in confined cargo containers, garages, and decrepit trailers. They slept on filthy mattresses and dealt with trash and insects daily, according to the Labor Department. The farm's owners also illegally deducted money from workers' pay for these living conditions.
Concord Farms' workers had even worse conditions, with moldy, makeshift rooms in an insect-infested greenhouse. The farm owner withheld overtime pay, failed to compensate workers for off-clock work, and violated minimum wage requirements.
A federal investigation was initiated following a shooting incident at the farms on January 23, 2023, in which a California Terra Gardens worker, Chunil Zhao, allegedly killed seven workers and injured another. Zhao, a Chinese citizen, is currently awaiting trial for the alleged crimes. The shooting was believed to be a targeted instance of workplace violence.
To address the living conditions at the farms, the state and federal authorities launched investigations, eventually resulting in multiple citations from the California Division of Occupational Safety and Health. Both farms were cited for "serious" health and safety violations, prompting the Labor Department to investigate further.
After examining the farms, the Labor Department reached settlements with both California Terra Gardens and Concord Farms. California Terra Gardens agreed to pay $84,074 to the 39 workers for the illegal housing deductions and $42,494 in penalties, while Concord Farms agreed to pay $370,107 in overtime wages and damages to ten workers, $4,242 for unpaid wages to 23 workers, and $29,049 in penalties.
CNN has reached out to both farms for comment.
Raymond, the wage and hour division assistant district director, expressed that the Department of Labor was dedicated to ensuring employers were held responsible for providing suitable housing and paying workers all legally earned wages. "We are committed to enforcing these workplace protections that ensure a safe and suitable living environment for seasonal workers," he said.
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The Labor Department's investigation revealed that the US workers at California Terra Gardens and Concord Farms were living in subpar conditions, including mold and insect infestations. The US Department of Labor, in their statement, highlighted that these living conditions violated several worker protection laws.
Source: edition.cnn.com
