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Forced Labor

Forced Labor in Los Angeles, California (2006)

A forced labor case from 2006 in Los Angeles, California, United States. 1 source on file.

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What happened

Forty-eight Thai workers were recruited to the United States on H-2B visas with promises of skilled welding jobs. Only nine were placed on the intended steel project; many of the remaining workers were taken to Los Angeles and Long Beach and compelled to work in Thai restaurants and other jobs for little or no pay. Recruiters confiscated passports, housed workers in poor conditions and used immigration threats and substantial recruitment debts to control them. Accused: Thai-American business owners operating trafficking scheme.

Response and intervention

FBI and Department of Labor joint operation. Business owners convicted federally; victims received T-visas and restitution. Coalition to Abolish Slavery and Trafficking.

Sources

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