H2A Violations and Penalties

  •  Failed to comply-abandonment/terminated for cause requirements  
  • H-2A workers given preferential treatment  
  • Unlawful rejection of Workers in corresponding employment  
  • Failed to contact prior Workers in corresponding employment(s)  
  • Position vacant due to strike, layoff, etc.  
  • Layoff or displacement of Workers in corresponding employment
  •  Failed to accept SWA referrals  
  • Failed to satisfy requirements of the job order by not stating the actual terms and conditions  
  • Failed to provide copy of the work contract  Failed to post H-2A Poster  
  • Failed to provide housing at no cost  Unlawful charges for public housing  Unlawful deposits  
  • FTC- ER provided items requirements  
  • Failed to provide meals or kitchen facilities  
  • FTC – Inbound transportation requirement  
  • FTC- Outbound transportation requirements  ¾ guarantee  
  • Failed to pay required rates of pay  Unlawful deductions  
  • FTC- frequency of pay requirements(s)  
  • Unlawful cost shifting  
  • Failed to record why HW < hours offered  
  • FTC- earning records requirements (up to 8 req.)  
  • Failed to make required records available  
  • Failed to keep records for 3-years  
  • FTC- pay statement requirements (up to 8 req.)  
  • Failed to provide housing  Housing
  • failed to meet safety and health requirements  
  • Housing violation resulting in death/serious injury  
  • Repeat/Willful housing violation resulting in death/serious injury  
  • Failed to get housing pre-occupancy inspection  
  • Family housing required but not provided  
  • Failed to notify the SWA if change in certified housing  
  • Failed to provide daily transportation to/from worksite  
  • Transportation failed to meet safety requirements  
  • Transportation violation resulting in death/serious injury  Repeat/willful Transportation violation resulting in death/serious injury  
  • FTC- worker’s compensation requirements  
  • Sought waiver of rights from workers  
  • Failed to cooperate with investigators  
  • Failed to follow all applicable federal, state, and local laws and regulations  
  • Failed to contractually forbid cost-shifting  
  • Discriminate, intimidate, threaten, etc.
OffenseRegulation CitationOld FineNew Fine
H-2A failure to pay worker correctly or honor terms and conditions of employment29 CFR 501.19 $2,045$2,111
H-2A willful violation or H-2A discrimination29 CFR 501.19(c)(1) $6,881$7,104
H-2A safety or health violation resulting in serious injury or death 29 CFR 501.19(c)(2)$68,129$70,337
H-2A willful or repeated safety or health violation resulting in serious injury or death29 CFR 501.19(c)(3)$136,258$140,674
H-2A failing to cooperate in an investigation29 CFR 501.19(d)$6,881$7,104
H-2A displacing a U.S. worker29 CFR 501.19(e) $20,439$21,101
H-2A improperly rejecting a U.S. worker29 CFR 501.19(f)$20,439$21,101
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