The U.S. Department of Labor has taken action against a Kennewick-based farm labor contractor, Harvest Plus LLC, following an investigation that uncovered multiple violations of the H-2A temporary agricultural worker program. The department's Wage and Hour Division found that the company provided workers with substandard living conditions, transported them in unsafe vehicles operated by unlicensed drivers, withheld wages, made illegal pay deductions, and instructed workers to falsify documents to conceal breaches of federal regulations.

Harvest Plus LLC was also found guilty of housing H-2A workers in overcrowded motel rooms with mold issues and failing to reimburse them for transportation costs between their home country and Washington. Additionally, the company allowed drivers without proper permits or licenses to transport workers in vehicles lacking essential safety features such as seatbelts and lights. The investigation revealed unlawful pay deductions not specified in job orders and a failure to provide work contracts outlining actual terms and conditions.

Furthermore, Harvest Plus gave preference to H-2A workers over U.S. workers previously employed by the company and attempted to make employees work beyond certified periods.

As a result of these findings, the Department of Labor has debarred Harvest Plus from participating in the H-2A program for three years and imposed $252,475 in civil money penalties on the employer.

“The blatant disregard for federal regulations shown by Harvest Plus LLC put the safety and health of hundreds of temporary workers at serious risk,” stated Thomas Silva, Wage and Hour Division District Director in Seattle. “By debarring this employer from participating in the H-2A program, the U.S. Department of Labor has sent a clear signal that we will not turn a blind eye to such egregious actions. We will safeguard U.S. jobs and prevent unscrupulous employers from profiting while endangering vulnerable workers and denying them their hard-earned wages.”

The Office of Foreign Labor Certification maintains lists of employers barred from both agricultural (H-2A) and non-agricultural (H-2B) worker programs.

The Wage and Hour Division provides compliance assistance resources including an agriculture compliance toolkit available for employers seeking guidance on legal requirements. Employers or workers can reach out confidentially via a toll-free helpline at 866-4US-WAGE (487-9243), with support available in over 200 languages.

Additionally, a new Timesheet App is available for download on iOS and Android devices free of charge, offering users an accurate way to track hours worked and pay received.