California labor regulators filed a lawsuit against a farm labor contractor seeking $635,000 in unpaid wages, penalties and damages from a San Joaquin County farm-labor contractor.
In a suit filed by California Labor Commissioner Julie Su, the commission claims Javier Diaz and his Visalia-based company Diaz Contracting violated the law by failing to pay minimum wage and overtime to its 129 employees.
Legal experts say it is the first time the Labor Commissioner has sued a farm contractor over unpaid wages. The lawsuit is the result of an extensive investigation, according to Su's office, the Division of Labor Standards Enforcement at the California Department of Industrial Relations.
"Low wage workers are particularly vulnerable and the mobile nature of the work in industries such as agriculture often poses challenges to enforcement," Su said in statement. "This lawsuit is an example of our commitment to conducting in-depth, meaningful inspections.
"It also sends a message that when workers come forward to tell us about illegal working conditions, we will take action to protect them."
In addition to the back wages, penalties and damages, the lawsuit asks a judge to grant an injunction to prevent Diaz and his company from engaging in future violations of state labor laws.
California labor officials are suing a farm labor contracting company over allegations the company failed to properly pay more than 100 farmworkers.
"Our intent is to level the playing field so that violators gaining a competitive advantage over law-abiding employers are held accountable," Labor Commissioner Julie Su said. "California's agriculture industry is a critical and valued part of the state's economy. The farmworkers on whom the industry relies must be treated with the respect and dignity they deserve."
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