Two Mississippi catfish farms have settled a lawsuit in which they were accused of bringing in workers from Mexico and paying them significantly more than they had previously paid local Black farmworkers for the same type of labor. The lawsuit was filed by Southern Migrant Legal Services and Mississippi Center for Justice on behalf of 14 Black farmworkers who worked at Nobile Fish Farms. The federal lawsuit alleged that the Black workers had been systematically underpaid and denied job opportunities in favor of non-Black foreign workers. The lawsuit was settled in February, and the terms of the settlement were kept confidential.
In total, there have been eight settlements on behalf of Black farmworkers in the Mississippi Delta who claimed they were pushed aside in favor of higher-paid immigrant workers. Five of these settlements were reached without lawsuits being filed. In December 2022, two farms in Sunflower County settled lawsuits over claims that they had hired white laborers from South Africa and paid them more than the local Black employees for the same type of work. Sunflower County has a population of just under 24,500, with about 74% of residents being Black, according to the Census Bureau.
The settlements highlight ongoing challenges faced by U.S. workers in the agriculture industry, particularly in the Mississippi Delta region, one of the poorest parts of the United States. The H-2A guest worker program requires employers to attempt to hire local workers before bringing in immigrant workers, but there have been continued reports of U.S. workers being pushed out of their jobs and replaced with guest workers. Attorneys involved in the case against Nobile Fish Farms stated that they will continue to investigate these claims and bring legal action when warranted.
The settlement in the lawsuit against Nobile Fish Farms was announced after all terms had been fulfilled, according to Mississippi Center for Justice attorney Rob McDuff. The attorneys hope that the legal efforts will send a message to farmers in the Delta, and across the U.S., that they need to pay fair wages to local workers. The settlement marks a step towards ensuring that farmworkers are treated fairly and receive the wages they deserve for their labor.
Overall, the settlements underscore the need for awareness and enforcement of fair labor practices in the agriculture industry. By holding farms accountable for underpaying and displacing local workers in favor of higher-paid immigrant labor, the legal actions taken by Southern Migrant Legal Services and Mississippi Center for Justice serve to protect the rights of all workers, regardless of their background. Moving forward, continued vigilance and legal action will be essential in ensuring fair treatment and wages for farmworkers across the country.
