Student workers at Hershey Company facility win back wages

(Hershey) -- Three companies have agreed in a federal settlement to pay back wages to hundreds of foreign students for summer jobs they held at a Hershey Company facility in the midstate.

Lemoyne-based SHS Group, Ohio-based Exel Inc. and California-based Council for Educational Travel USA have agreed to pay $213,000 in back wages to 1,000 students who held summer jobs repackaging candy. The Hershey Company owns the facility, but wasn't accused of wrongdoing because Exel operated it.

The U.S. Department of Labor says the three companies overcharged the students for housing, reducing their wages below what they were supposed to be paid. It says the settlement provides fines for two of the companies.

Exel agreed to pay $143,000 in fines for excessive workplace noise. SHS was fined $5,000 for other violations.