Indian Workers Win Judgment
By Connie Blaney
Catholic Charities

A federal judge found the John Pickle Company guilty on May 24 of fraud, false, imprisonment and civil rights violations, awarding more than $1.2 million to the foreign workers who accused the factory of “virtual slavery.”   

“This is a great victory for these 50 skilled workers from India who were promised employment and a future in Tulsa, but experienced mistreatment and poor living conditions,” said Margie Solis, Director of Immigration Services for Catholic Charities in Oklahoma City.

The verdict comes more than four years after the men left the oil equipment factory in west Tulsa. They arrived at the factory in October of 2001 describing their conditions as similar to a prison, living in a makeshift dormitory and forbidden to leave the factory grounds, even when off-duty.  

After four months of bad food, confined living quarters, and 16-hour days with only one day off each week, one of the foreigners escaped to seek help.  He was first referred to Catholic Charities in Tulsa, which helped him and his coworkers with housing and services.  They were then referred to Catholic Charities’ Immigration Services in Oklahoma City where they received  legal advice and other services.  

It took a year, but in April of 2003, the men received permits allowing them to work in this country. Once they received their permits, Catholic Charities in Oklahoma City began the paperwork to bring their spouses and children to America.  After three years, they are now able to apply for permanent residence status.

“Since all of these men were skilled workers, they were able to get jobs across the country,” Solis said. “It has been rewarding for us to witness their lives changing for the better.”