Indian workers get $20 mn settlement against US firm
Washington, July 17: Around 200 Indian workers have won a compensation of USD 20 million in compensation against an US based firm for defrauding and exploiting them.
These Indian workers were brought to US by Alabama based firm Signal International to be deployed to repair damaged oil rigs after Hurricane Katrina.
According to media reports, they were allegedly promised jobs and permanent US residency. They allegedly paid between $10,000-$20,000 each in fees and costs
Many
of
the
victims
sold
their
properties
or
borrowed
money
to
pay
the
fees
to
labour
recruiter
and
lawyer.
On
their
arrival
in
India
in
2006
they
came
to
know
that
they
are
not
going
to
get
green
cards
or
permanent
residency
as
promised.
Exploited Indian workers in US awarded million
In February, a federal jury in New Orleans awarded $14 million in damages to five Indian guest workers represented by the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC), finding that the company and its agents engaged in labor trafficking, fraud, racketeering and discrimination.
SPLC is an American non-profit legal advocacy organization specializing in civil rights and public interest litigation.
OneIndia News