EMBASSY OF THE

FEDERATED STATES OF MICRONESIA
WASHINGTON, 20036

No. 19-12

The Embassy of the Federated States in (FSM) presents its compliments to the United States
Department of State and has the honor to register with the latter the following:

The Government of the Federated States of Micronesia brings to the attention of the Government
of the United States serious allegations that multiple Micronesians citizens are being abused by
an employer in the United States after having been recruited to live and work in Iowa under the
terms of our Amended Compact of Free Association.

The FSM seeks the assistance of the United States in investigating this matter pursuant to the
understandings of our Amended Compact and its related agreements, including the Agreement
Regarding Protections for Citizens of Micronesia Seeking to Engage in Employment in the
United States Pursuant to Recruitment or Other Placement Services, Section (1) (providing
that the United States will investigate mistreatment of recruited FSM citizens).

Dozens of FSM citizens have reported serious and sustained abuse by Seaboard Triumph Food,
a pork processing facility located in Sioux City, Iowa. The allegations by these Micronesian
citizens include potential human traf?cking, labor abuse, and what appear to be other violations
of US. law.

In this connection, we have received reports that representatives of Seaboard Triumph Food have
been traveling to Pohnpei, Federated States of Micronesia, to recruit Micronesian citizens to
work at Seaboard Triumph ood?s Iowa facility. After they have been recruited by Seaboard
Triumph and arriving in the United States, Micronesian citizens have made allegations regarding
abuse by Seafood Triumph Food, including the following:

0 Employees allege that the work they are performing is inconsistent with the descriptions
that were provided by recruiters, and are inconsistent with the terms of the employment
contracts they signed.

0 Employees allege that employers at Seafood Triumph Food have harassed Micronesian
citizens, both physically and emotionally, including verbal abuse.

0 Employees allege that Seafood Triumph Food is issuing false social security numbers for
employees.

0 Employees allege that Seafood Triumph Food has seized their passports, including
withholding passports in order to threaten or punish workers.

0 Employees allege that Seafood Triumph Food refuses to provide employees with copies
of their employment contracts.

The Government of the FSM is extremely concerned about these allegations. Under the
Compact of Free Association between the Federated States of Micronesia and the United States
of America, FSM citizens have the right to live and work in the United States without obtaining a
visa. In addition, Section of the Law Enforcement Agreement between the FSM and the
United States that is in force provides speci?cally that, with regard to the recruitment and
employment of FSM citizens in the United States, ?the Government of the United States agrees

to conduct investigations in the United States, as appropriate, to ensure compliance with US.
law.?

The Government of the FSM respectfully requests the Government of the United States? urgent

attention and action on this matter. We would be pleased to provide additional information as
needed.?

The Embassy of the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) avails itself of this opportunity to
renew to the United States Department of State the assurances of its highest considerations.


we
as 
it? 
1: 
.: JOB

     

Washington DC. . 3 fl

September 27, 2019 ahxw 
thxleilx ?Y?xmfl'd
?Hint-3?;