U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission v. Global Horizons, Inc.

**Global Horizons Labor Trafficking Case** This case involved Global Horizons, Inc., an agricultural labor contractor that recruited workers from Thailand to work on farms in the United States. The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) sued the company, claiming it engaged in labor trafficking, violated wage and hour laws, and forced workers to labor under harsh conditions. The workers allegedly had their passports confiscated, were threatened with deportation, and were not paid proper wages. The 9th Circuit Court of Appeals issued a mixed ruling in 2012. The court upheld some of the lower court's findings against Global Horizons while overturning others. The court agreed that some violations occurred but disagreed with certain aspects of how the case was handled at the trial level. This case matters for workers because it shows that federal agencies will pursue companies that exploit vulnerable employees, especially immigrant workers. It demonstrates that labor trafficking and forced labor violations are serious federal crimes that courts will address. The case also highlights the importance of wage and hour protections, particularly for agricultural workers who may be more susceptible to exploitation due to their immigration status or isolation.