Labor contractor gives up license
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A farm labor contractor that employed a pregnant teenager who died of heatstroke while pruning grapes has given up its license to operate for three years.
Officials with California’s Department of Industrial Relations announced Wednesday that Merced Farm Labor had surrendered its license Monday, three days before proceedings to revoke its license were to begin.
The state suspects the Atwater-based contractor failed to provide 17-year-old Maria Isabel Vasquez Jimenez proper access to shade and water before she collapsed May 14 near Stockton.
Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger issued a statement saying California would enforce heat illness regulations strictly.
The company’s attorney did not immediately return a call seeking comment.
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