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The workers were hired through the federal H-2B visa program, and the agency collected impermissible payments from the workers that the department said should have been paid by the workers' employers. In addition, other violations included failure to pay the offered wage promised and failure to pay for overtime.
• According to the Labor Department, 365 workers, most of whom came from Indonesia and the Philippines, received $217,604.24 in payments, and five of the businesses paid a total of $79,524 in penalties.
• The businesses ordered to pay fines are: Xanterra Parks and Resorts, Mount Rushmore National Memorial; Mount Rushmore KOA campground, Hill City; Shiba Investments, formerly Radisson Hotel, Rapid City; Hampton Inn, Rapid City; America's Best Value Inn, Rapid City; and Custer State Park Resort.
• Some of the businesses said they were not aware they were supposed to pay for the workers' travel to the United States under the H-2B visa program, and that they

have paid the fine.
• "The hospitality industry employs many low-wage and vulnerable workers who are susceptible to labor violations and disparate treatment," said Cynthia Watson, Department of Labor regional administrator of the Wage and Hour Division in the Southwest.
• We applaud the Labor Department for working to prevent exploitation of foreign workers in South Dakota, who can't be expected to fully understand U.S. labor laws when they come to America for economic opportunity.
• Despite the department's fines against the Black Hills businesses, they were victimized by the employment agency, which charged the workers for travel costs instead of the businesses.
• There were multiple victims in this case, and it was an important, although expensive, lesson learned by all.
• ___
• Watertown Public Opinion. Aug. 8, 2012
• When will Washington get it?
• English novelist?Charles Dickens is one of the greatest authors of all time. His classic "A Tale of Two Cities" begins with one of the most famous opening lines in history. "It was the best of times, it was the worst of times," serves as an instant hook that pulls readers in and keeps them turning pages.
• That opening line can be applied to South Dakota politics these days, especially when it comes to voter registration.?As usual, these continue to be good times for

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