|
General News
|
2006-12-08 21:49:47-05
|
Exploited Thai workers compensated
|
|
|
Bangkok, Dec 9: It's finally payday for four dozen Thai workers brought to the US by a suspected labor trafficker who paid them next to nothing, and used threats to control them. California-based Trans Bay Steel, under an agreement with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, will provide the group about one million dollars in cash, training, jobs on the Bay Bridge retrofit project, housing and relocation, reports AP. The government says Trans Bay hired Yoo Taik Kim four years ago to find welders. Kim is accused of taking away their passports and confining them to cramped apartments with no utilities or beds. Some worked on the bridge, but most worked in restaurants owned by Kim. Some were paid a pittance, while allegedly working ten hours, every day. One worker finally escaped to the Thai community center.
|
