Пчеловод из Вашингтона оспорил обвинения Минтруда, но согласился на новые условия работы с иностранными наемниками

Beekeeper denies Labor Department allegations but agrees to conditions Published 9:15 am Tuesday, September 1, 2026 A Washington beekeeper is refuting allegations in a U.S. Department of Labor lawsuit but has agreed to an injunction setting requirements for his treatment of foreign guests workers. The Labor Department recently filed a federal complaint against Oleksandr Kulyukin, owner of New Generation Beekeeping of Eltopia, Wash., alleging he violated regulations for the H-2A guest worker program. The agency persuaded a federal judge to enter a temporary restraining order that imposed certain conditions on the company, but now Kulyukin has agreed to a stipulated injunction with similar terms for complying with H-2A rules. The injunction requires New Generation Beekeeping to maintain adequate housing for workers, provide them with medical care, keep proper wage records, refrain from retaliation and preserve evidence, among other requirements. However, Kulyukin has filed court documents disputing the DOL’s accusations or clarifying certain circumstances from the beekeeper’s perspective. For example, the beekeeper says that his workers preferred to live in an RV trailer close to their worksite, which the DOL alleges was inadequate, rather than in housing that had been approved by the agency. Since the litigation was filed, though, the company has provided the workers with accommodation at a nearby motel, according to the documents. The beekeeper also denies preventing a worker from seeking medical care for a finger injury, and argues that the worker himself refused to submit a workers’ compensation claim in the matter. Kulyukin submitted a declaration stating that he wasn’t aware of any workers “sleeping on the ground or in a truck,” as alleged by DOL, as it’s “unsafe” and not allowed by the company. Likewise, Kulykin responded to allegations that workers had to pay for their own fuel by stating that they travel have access to bulk fuel and fuel cards for travel, but are reimbursed for instances in which they pay for fuel themselves. As to the allegations that workers had to hide to eat or eat quickly, the beekeeper said that most of their work occurs away from the company’s shop and “away from direct supervision.” “Employees are free to leave the worksite for water or restroom breaks and to use their full lunch period every day,” he said. A document submitted by New Generation Beekeeping also objects to the DOL’s allegation of “destroying evidence,” arguing the agency “does not seem to identify any evidence that has been destroyed or in jeopardy of being destroyed.” The company said it’s working with DOL t update its “time-tracking and payroll apps” and software to ensure compliance with H-2A regulations.