U.S. Department of Labor Investigation Closes Worker Housing and Issues Fines After Finding Oregon Farmworkers in Squalid Living Quarters

PORTLAND, OR – After an investigation by the U.S. Department of Labor's Wage and Hour Division (WHD), Vasquez Family Services – a farm labor contractor – and housing provider Jorge Vasquez were assessed $35,000 in civil penalties after violations of the Migrant and Seasonal Agricultural Worker Protection Act (MSPA) left farm workers living in squalid living conditions at their facility in Silverton, Oregon. Vasquez Family Living Services will pay $30,000 in civil penalties for the violations, and housing provider Jorge Vasquez will pay $5,000.

During an unannounced inspection, WHD investigators found farmworkers living in dilapidated, trash-strewn housing with no hot water for showers or working fire extinguishers. They also found workers sleeping on mattresses on the floor, and sleeping quarters for one couple's family separated from others only by a garbage bag hung from the ceiling. Residents also reported seeing rodents throughout the facility.

"Farm labor contractors that provide housing to migrant farmworkers are required to ensure that it meets required health and safety standards," said Wage and Hour Division District Director Thomas Silva, in Portland. "Our agency conducts widespread educational events and offers extensive compliance assistance to growers, farm labor contractors, and other agricultural stakeholders to ensure that employers understand their responsibilities and that workers are housed and transported safely. We encourage anyone with questions about these requirements to call us for information or to visit our website for guidance."

WHD officials worked with the Oregon Occupational Safety and Health Administration and the Mexican Consulate to move the workers to better living conditions after determining that the conditions could not immediately be abated.

MSPA protects migrant and seasonal agricultural workers by establishing employment standards related to wages, housing, transportation, disclosures, and recordkeeping. For general information on MSPA, please see the Employment Law Guide or the WHD's MSPA fact sheet.

To operate legally as farm labor contractors, individuals and companies must register with the U.S. Department of Labor. Farm labor contractors that intend to house, transport, or drive a migrant or seasonal agricultural worker must meet special requirements. Application materials and instructions are available online.

Employees and employers with questions about MSPA or any of the federal laws administered by the Division should call the agency's toll-free helpline at 866-4US-WAGE (487-9243). All calls are confidential. More information also is available online.