Farmer disciplined for failing to pay foreign workers

: Category: Politics; Published: 31 May 2018

GLASGOW, Ky. (AP) - Federal labor officials say a Kentucky farmer has been disciplined for failing to properly pay foreign workers.

The U.S. Department of Labor said Tuesday that Christopher Lee Smith^[1] has been barred from applying for certification to request temporary foreign workers under visa program for three years. He also has been fined more than $35,000.

Investigators say Smith^[2], who owns a farm in Glasgow, failed to reimburse workers for transportation and for their visa expenses. Investigators said Smith^[3] did not pay workers the required minimum wage and failed to pay them on time.

Investigators found Smith^[4] owed $58,820 in back wages to 14 employees.

The H-2A temporary agricultural program allows employers who anticipate a domestic worker shortage to bring non-immigrant foreign workers to the U.S. on a temporary or seasonal basis.

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