Tag Archives: LA Times
- 21-4-2011
Federal Agency Accuses Beverly Hills Company of Trafficking Thai Farmworkers
April 21, 2011|By Teresa Watanabe, Los Angeles Times The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission accuses Global Horizons Manpower of Beverly Hills of subjecting Thai workers to illegal conditions on farms in Hawaii and Washington. The head of the firm is already facing a criminal trial on similar charges. In its largest farm labor trafficking case ever, Continue Reading
- 19-11-2010
Thai Human Trafficking Victims Reunite With Families
As their case against a Beverly Hills labor contracting firm looms, the future of a program to help them acclimate to American life is in doubt. November 19, 2010|By Teresa Watanabe, Los Angeles Times Recalling the last time he saw his family, he most remembers the tears shed as he left for what he thought Continue Reading
- 9-9-2010
Thai Workers Describe Being Lured into Slavery in U.S.
More than two dozen immigrants, covering their faces and continuing to fear for their safety, speak out about what authorities call the largest labor-trafficking case in U.S. history. September 09, 2010|By Teresa Watanabe, Los Angeles Times More than two dozen Thai farmworkers lined up in front of the Wat Thai Buddhist temple in Sun Valley Continue Reading
- 4-9-2010
Federal Grand Jury Indicts Associates of Beverly Hills Firm in Human Trafficking Case
In a ‘mind-boggling case,’ the owner and four employees of Global Horizons Manpower Inc. are indicted on charges of engaging in a conspiracy to coerce the labor of hundreds of Thai nationals September 04, 2010|By Teresa Watanabe, Los Angeles Times In 2003, a farmworker showed up in the Hollywood offices of a Thai community organization Continue Reading
- 3-8-2008
A Boost for Thai Town Its ‘Preserve America’ Designation Marks it as Culturally Significant
August 03, 2008|Teresa Watanabe | Staff Writer On a recent afternoon, Los Angeles urban planners Chancee Martorell and Alex Holsheimer looked at a nondescript intersection and envisioned the makings of a signature plaza that would bring a physical focal point to the six-block area along Hollywood Boulevard known as Thai Town. The parking lot at Continue Reading
- 13-8-2007
Temple Tradition Bows to Neighbors’ Pressure
August 13, 2007|Deborah Schoch | Times Staff Writer Rumors were sweeping the Los Angeles food blogging world. “Wat Thai Temple — food court closing?” asked the entry on Chowhound.com. “Noooo…. ” another writer moaned minutes later. Ethnic food aficionados are aghast at the prospect of a future without such delicacies as hot green papaya salad, Continue Reading
- 2-8-2007
A New Take on Thai Town
August 02, 2007|David Pierson and Anna Gorman | Times Staff Writers The western entrance to Thai Town in East Hollywood is guarded by two golden Apsonsi angel statues — half-woman, half-lion figures of Thai folklore symbolically charged with guarding the ethnic enclave. Eight years after the stretch of Hollywood Boulevard from Western to Normandie avenues Continue Reading
- 25-11-2006
State Has Yet to Test Slavery Statute
No human trafficking cases have been tried since the law went into effect nearly a year ago. It’s too difficult to prove the crime, police say. November 25, 2006|Garrett Therolf | Times Staff Writer When Westminster police raided the apartment, they were convinced they were freeing the eight women inside from modern-day slavery. Police said Continue Reading
- 19-12-2005
Program to Fight Human Trafficking is Underused
Lack of awareness and simple fear may be reasons. December 19, 2005|Anna Gorman | Times Staff Writer The single mother, struggling to support two children in Thailand, knew she couldn’t turn down a job offer as a cook in a Thai restaurant in Woodland Hills. But when Thonglim Khamphiranon arrived at her new post, her Continue Reading
- 26-7-2002
Advocates for Immigrant Worker Rights
Groups defend otherwise voiceless newcomers against exploitation on the job. July 26, 2002|JENNIFER SINCO KELLEHER | TIMES STAFF WRITER Roman Vargas’ hands were cracked and peeling from working as a dishwasher in a Koreatown restaurant. His bosses were often physically and emotionally abusive, he says, and he was paid $250 a week with no overtime Continue Reading