A farm labor contractor was fined $1.25 million for operating without a license and failing to provide nearly 5,000 workers with required employment details.

The fine was issued by the Washington State Department of Labor & Industries following an investigation that reportedly found Pacific Agri Services LLC failed to disclose wages, job duties, work locations, housing and transportation arrangements to 4,950 domestic and 26 foreign workers in 2024.

The company also reportedly initially denied acting as a contractor and failed to submit records for a scheduled compliance review.

The fine includes $1.24 million for disclosure violations, $5,000 for unlicensed operation and $1,000 for failing to maintain required records. It is the largest farm labor contractor fine ever issued by the agency, according to L&I.

Washington has more than 250 licensed farm labor contractors, which collectively provide labor for roughly 50,000 agricultural workers each year. State law requires contractors to be licensed and to inform workers in writing about wages, working conditions and benefits.

The company has appealed the citation.

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Washington