4 Hawaii farms settle discrimination lawsuit involving Thai workers for a total of $2.4M

CP28615860
Khamjuan Namwichai, center, greets reporters at a news conference in Honolulu on Tuesday, June 3, 2013. Namwichai spoke in Thai to describe unsanitary conditions working at Hawaii farms, as Mimi Cheou, an Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) investigator, left, translates. Also pictured are Anna Park, EEOC Los Angeles regional attorney, second from left, and Thai worker Likhit Yoo-on. The U.S. EEOC announced details of settlements totaling .4 million by four farms the agency sued for discriminating against hundreds of Thai workers. (AP Photo/Jennifer Sinco Kelleher)

HONOLULU, Hawaii – Four Hawaii farms are settling a discrimination lawsuit involving hundreds of Thai workers for $2.4 million.

Six farms and a California-based contractor are accused of subjecting workers to uninhabitable housing, insufficient food, low wages and deportation threats.

According to settlement agreements made public Tuesday, Mac Farms of Hawaii will pay $1.6 million, Kelena Farms will pay $275,000, Captain Cook Coffee Company will pay $100,000 and Kauai Coffee Company will pay $425,000.

The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity commission is announcing the settlements Tuesday morning in Honolulu.

The lawsuit is also against California-based labour contractor Global Horizons, which a judge recently found liable for discrimination and abuse.

Del Monte Fresh Produce settled for $1.2 million. A February trial date had been set for Global Horizons and Maui Pineapple Co.

News from © The Associated Press, . All rights reserved.
This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Join the Conversation!

Want to share your thoughts, add context, or connect with others in your community?

Create a free account

The Associated Press

The Associated Press is an independent global news organization dedicated to factual reporting. Founded in 1846, AP today remains the most trusted source of fast, accurate, unbiased news in all formats and the essential provider of the technology and services vital to the news business. More than half the world’s population sees AP journalism every day.

Related Articles