State Recovers $163,000 for Agricultural Workers in Moorhead

The Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry concluded an enforcement action on November 18, 2025 that recovered more than $163,000 for agricultural workers employed by a Moorhead based company. The settlement directs over $82,000 to compensate employees for earned sick and safe time, and assigns roughly $80,000 in penalties for the employer's failure to provide required written employment statements to migrant workers. The recovered funds will be distributed to affected employees.

The action highlights state labor officials enforcing statutory protections in the agricultural sector. While the department did not publicly identify the employer in state materials released with the settlement figures, the enforcement result signals scrutiny of record keeping and notification practices that apply to workers in farming and related operations. For local residents in Otter Tail County, many of whom work in or depend on the regional agricultural economy, the case illustrates that state oversight can produce direct financial remedies for workers and penalties for noncompliance.

Earned sick and safe time entitlements are intended to ensure employees can take leave for medical care or safety related reasons without losing pay accumulation. The settlement amount allocated to those entitlements indicates the department found a measurable shortfall in the employer's compliance with those obligations. The additional penalties stem from a separate but related requirement that employers provide written employment statements, a document designed to clarify pay, terms of employment and other essential information, particularly for migrant workers who may face language and mobility barriers.

The enforcement carries practical implications for employers across the county. County farm operators and labor contractors can view the settlement as a reminder to review payroll records, written notices and hiring paperwork to ensure they meet state requirements. For workers, the recovery of back pay and the distribution of funds provide immediate financial relief to those affected, and reinforce avenues for recourse under state labor laws.

Local government officials and community organizations that assist seasonal and migrant workers may see increased demand for information and assistance in navigating claims processes. The department's action also serves as a compliance signal for contractors and temp labor intermediaries who supply agricultural labor to operations throughout the region.

The Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry’s recovery and distribution of funds closes this particular enforcement case, while underscoring the role of state agencies in enforcing worker protections within the agricultural economy that supports many families in Otter Tail County and neighboring areas.