Technology Company Agrees to Pay More Than $740,000 in Back Wages to H-1B Workers
On June 12, the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) announced that Semafor Technologies LLC of Norcross, Georgia agreed to pay 73 employees a total of $741,288 in back wages following the DOL's Wage and Hour Division's finding that the employer violated the wage provisions of the H-1B visa program. The company specializes in software development, on-site/off-site application outsourcing, infrastructure, consulting and product development services.
The division's Atlanta District Office determined that Semafor Technologies failed to pay 54 H-1B workers for periods of time during which they were nonproductive or "benched" because the company did not assign any work. In addition, five workers were not reimbursed for various processing fees related to their employment, and 14 workers were not reimbursed for processing fees or paid for periods without assigned work.
"The Labor Department is committed to protecting the rights of all workers employed in this country," said Janet Campbell, director of the division's Atlanta office. "As demonstrated by the resolution of this case, we are using all tools available to remedy violations, promote accountability, and ensure a level playing field for law-abiding employers and legitimate users of the foreign guest worker programs."
Semafor Technologies is contacting the affected workers and is paying the wages due under the agreement. Company President Phani Paladugu also agreed to implement new payroll and time-keeping procedures to ensure future compliance with H-1B program requirements.
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