Smartsoft International Inc. will pay about $1 million in back wages and interest to 135 nonimmigrant workers it temporarily employed under a federal visa program, the U.S. Department of Labor reported Aug. 17.

DOL said it found the Suwanee, Ga.-based computer consulting company violated the H-1B program's rules. DOL’s investigation revealed some employees were not paid any wages at the beginning of their employment, were paid on a part-time basis despite being hired under a full-time employment agreement and were paid less than the prevailing wage applicable to the geographic locations where they performed their work.  The H-1B program allows employers to hire nonimmigrant workers in specialty occupations.

"Workers deserve to receive the full wages for which they have worked so hard," said Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis, in a statement. "That is not just a matter of decency and common sense, it's the law." (click on link to read full story)