KENNEWICK — An unlicensed farm labor contractor in Pasco faces close to $140,000 in fines after exploiting farmworkers.
An investigation earlier this year by the Washington Department of Labor and Industries showed that Eagle Labor Contractors made numerous violations in 2024, including operating without a license.
It failed to provide workers with complete disclosure statements, transported workers without a license and failed to provide a surety bond, which is needed to pay workers if the contractor fails to meet its obligations.
The department said in a statement that failing to provide a disclosure statement is the most serious of the violations. These statements typically include work location, the type of crops, what the work is, specifics about transportation and housing and what workers will earn.
Without a disclosure statement, a worker might not know the agreed upon wages or may be paid below the state minimum wage.
Eagle Labor Contractors will be licensed to work in Washington as long as the company pays off the fines by the end of March 2025. Any missed payments will result in the total balance being due immediately, as well as the possibility of losing their license.
In September, the department sent a message to Washington farm owners cautioning them to work only with licensed farm labor contractors. The issue comes up each fall because demand for workers rises during harvest season. In some cases, working with unlicensed contractors has left workers stranded, without housing or transportation, while farm owners still face the challenge of harvesting a crop.
Washington has more than 250 licensed farm labor contractors. Collectively, they recruit, employ and transport an estimated 50,000 domestic and foreign workers in Washington each year.
By law, contractors must pay at least minimum wage, provide safe transportation, and ensure meal and rest breaks for their workers. They must also be licensed.
