INDIANAPOLIS — Nine migrant farmworkers were awarded nearly $500,000 for unpaid wages following a lawsuit by Indiana Legal Services and the Neighborhood Christian Legal Clinic.
Eight of the nine farmworkers were former H-2A visa holders who worked at a farm in Fowler, Indiana.
A release from the plaintiffs states the farmworkers were paid little to nothing for their labor and housed in “abysmal” living conditions. A court awarded the workers the full amount of their unpaid minimum wages, as well as liquidated damages.
“Unfortunately, agriculture is a high-risk industry for human trafficking,” said Kristin Hoffman from Indiana Legal Services. “This case sets an important precedent that force, fraud, or coercion on the employment of workers is illegal and will not be tolerated in Indiana courts.”
If you need help or have any information about human trafficking, immediately, please call the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 888-373-7888.
