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Ex-attorney for Daniels and McDougal testifies in Trump trial; CT paid sick days bill passes House, heads to Senate; Iowa leaps state regulators, calls on EPA for emergency water help; group voices concerns about new TN law arming teachers.

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House Democrats say they'll vote to table a motion to remove Speaker Johnson, former President Trump faces financial penalties and the threat of jail time for violating a gag order and efforts to lower the voting age gain momentum nationwide.

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More rural working-age people are dying young compared to their urban counterparts, the internet was a lifesaver for rural students during the pandemic but the connection has been broken for many, and conservationists believe a new rule governing public lands will protect them for future generations.

Protections Not Enforced for Migrant Workers, Lawsuit Alleges

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Tuesday, September 4, 2018   

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – As thousands of Tennesseans return to work after a long Labor Day weekend, allegations that the Department of Labor is not enforcing stipulations around wages and working conditions are coming to light.

It's the subject of a lawsuit filed by the Farm Labor Organizing Committee (FLOC), which accuses the DOL of not ensuring the agriculture industry abides by guidelines established for workers with H-2A visas.

"So, what that leads to is just workers being paid less, both guest workers coming from Mexico and other countries, as well as U.S. workers that are working in those jobs," explains Justin Flores, FLOC’s vice president.

An H-2A visa allows a foreign national entry into the United States for temporary or seasonal agricultural work.

The U.S. Department of Labor referred a request for comment to the Department of Justice, which declined to comment on this story.

Flores says while upholding the law regarding H-2A visas is the goal of FLOC’s lawsuit, there is a larger problem that needs to be addressed with manufacturers demanding bottom dollar pricing from their agriculture suppliers.

"We obviously want to see improved wages and working conditions for all workers in agriculture, but we see this only as only one small piece of the puzzle,” he states. “Right now, it's important to get manufacturers and purchasers of agricultural projects to improve their procurement processes."

Earlier this year, the Trump administration said it was looking to modernize the H-2A visa program by streamlining the process while ensuring protections for workers.

There are reports of a shortage of farm workers because of the recent immigration crackdown nationwide.


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