UNITED STATES – Major automotive and logistics companies in the United States are under public scrutiny due to recent class-action lawsuits filed against them.
These lawsuits allege labor abuses, fraud, and exploitation of highly skilled Mexican workers through the TN visa program, which allows Mexican and Canadian citizens to work temporarily in professional occupations in the U.S.
A group of Mexican workers with TN visas has filed a class-action lawsuit against GFA Alabama and Hyundai Glovis. The lawsuit includes accusations of fraud, discrimination, breach of contract, extortion, and wage violations.
According to the 95-page document filed in court, the mentioned companies falsely promised well-paying engineering jobs to attract the plaintiffs through the TN visa program.
Upon arriving in the United States, the workers claim they were forced to work in warehouses and automotive assembly lines, facing discrimination and wage violations.
The workers also reported that, in addition to paying significant visa fees, travel expenses for consular processing, and relocation to the U.S., they had to cover the costs of accommodation and transportation provided by the employer, which was in overcrowded conditions.
The case argues that GFA and Hyundai Glovis operate warehouses in Georgia where the plaintiffs and other foreign workers were recruited to work in inadequate conditions.
The lawsuit alleges that the scheme implemented by these companies defrauded both the U.S. government and foreign workers. Additionally, the companies are accused of violating the Georgia Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act and federal labor laws.
In response to the allegations, the Center for Migrant Rights, a Mexico-based organization advocating for migrant rights, has proposed several measures to address these issues.
Their recommendations include greater transparency in the recruitment and hiring process, the prohibition of recruitment fees and breach-of-contract penalties, and the development of regulations for employer evaluation and certification.
These proposals aim to ensure that migrant workers are treated fairly and with dignity and that companies comply with labor laws in the United States and Mexico.
