Federal authorities say a Georgia agricultural company was favoring foreign workers over American employees.

The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission said in a June 20 filing that Hamilton Growers of Norman Park, Ga. was engaging "in a pattern or practice of regularly denying work hours and assigning less favorable assignments to U.S. workers" in favor of foreign workers on guest permits.

The complaint was filed by about 40 American employees who said they were assigned fewer hours and made less money than counterparts from outside the U.S. It said some were eventually fired because of their race.

The company countered that the employees violated attendance rules, loitered and resisted work.

Hamilton Growers officials declined to comment when reached Friday. The commission urged both sides to broker a settlement.

Tags: Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, Hamilton Growers of Norman Park Ga.