In an extremely important decision impacting farmers, workers and Global Horizons, Inc., a California corporation registered to do business in Hawaii, the Honorable Judge Victoria S. Marks ruled that "the Court finds that Global has shown cause that it did not violate the Court's order dated June 27, 2006. The order required Global to obtain mandatory workers' compensation insurance for all of Global's Hawaii employees, and therefore, should not be held in civil contempt." In addition, Judge Marks stated that the Global employees are permitted to work.
"Today's ruling is wonderful news for more than Global," comments Mordechai Orian, Global's Chief Strategic Officer. "With Hawaii's Agricultural Industry wilting under low unemployment, the court-ordered suspension on June 27 of our company's operations landed a body-blow to the farmers where our workers are such a valued help."
The Judge's finding directly counters the Labor Department's June 27 allegations against Global that resulted in a temporary restraining order which sent ripples through the ten companies on file with DLIR as worksites for Global's temporary, agricultural H-2A workers.
Labor and Industrial Relations Director Nelson Befitel, who had stated in a press release at the time of Global's order to shut down, "We are aware that this action may affect the migrant workers and Hawaii's farmers," sent a personal letter to Hawaii Counsel James Stanton acknowledging Judge Mark's decision.
"I was always confident that once all the facts were known in this case, we would be found in compliance and our workers allowed to work." Says Global's CSO Orian, "I see this as a great opportunity to work effectively with the Director and his Department, as well as for the farmers and farmworkers in Hawaii." He concludes, "The court's decision is great news for all the people of Hawaii."