Computech, Inc., a Michigan-based firm that places computer professionals at workplaces throughout the U.S., has agreed to pay $2,250,000 in back wages and a $400,000 fine to settle charges levied by the Department of Labor that the company violated immigration law. The settlement proceeds will be shared by 232 computer professionals.
The DOL charged that Computech brought non-immigrant H-1B workers into the country, but then failed to pay them the minimum required wage rates in the areas where they were employed. Computech was also accused of frequently “benching” the H-1B workers without compensation, which is contrary to the rules of the H-1B program.
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In addition to the back wages and fine, the settlement also prohibits Computech from participating in the H-1B visa program for 18 months. The H-1B visa program allows foreign workers to enter and work temporarily in the United States in professional-level jobs such as computer programmers, engineers, medical doctors and teachers. H-1B workers must be paid at least the same wage rates and benefits as those paid to U.S. workers already doing the same job in the same area.
Additional Resources:
“Foreign Workers: Tips for Hiring–And Firing–Workers on H-1B Visas,” in the March 2001 issue of the California Employer Advisor