Are you or do you know someone who is trapped or unable to leave a work situation?
There are laws to protect workers in these situations. For example, if you are:
- Not being paid, or not being paid minimum wage
- Forced to do things just because you owe your employer-recruiter money
- Receiving threats about your immigration status
- Working excessive hours without breaks
- Not in control of your immigration documents because your employer has them
- Not allowed to leave the job site without your employer’s permission
- Limited in your ability to communicate with the outside world without employer consent
- Not permitted time off for work injuries or a health condition
Then you may be a victim of what is called “Human Trafficking.”
About Human Trafficking
A person may feel trapped because of a debt owed to the employer. There may be charges at work for meals, transportation, tools or other items that may be improper and reduce a person’s earnings below minimum wage. In some cases, the employer might insist on holding a person’s immigration documents or even threaten to contact immigration authorities. Or you may be made to work excessive hours without breaks. Even compelled to provide sex for a job.
If any of this is happening, you might be a victim of Human Trafficking. Human Trafficking is against the law. It is criminal and you might be entitled to money damages.
Get Help from the Farmworker Unit
If you, or someone you know, might be in a Human Trafficking situation, please contact the Pine Tree Legal Assistance Farmworker Unit at:
Phone: (207) 942-0673
Cell/WhatsApp: (207)-233-2930
All communication is confidential.
Pine Tree Legal Assistance is an organization of lawyers and legal advocates located around Maine who assist low-income individuals with civil legal needs.