Farm ##s deny allegations , saying they did not abuse Thai workers . The first case was in 2003 , by a worker who worked a farm in Hawaii . The federal government accuses a California firm , eight farms of forced labor of Thai workers . The government is seeking back pay , monetary damages for workers .
Farm owners deny allegations , say they did not abuse Thai workers . The first allegations arose in 2003 , by a worker who escaped a farm in Hawaii . The federal agency accuses a California firm , eight farms of forced labor of farm workers . The government is seeking back pay , monetary damages for workers .