Tyson Fresh Meats Inc. is ordered to pay $2.25 million in back wages, interest and benefits to more than 1,650 qualified female job applicants to settle sex discrimination allegations, according to the U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs.

The women were rejected for employment at facilities in Joslin, Ill.; West Point, Neb.; and Waterloo and Denison, Iowa.

“Companies that profit from federal contracts must not discriminate in employment decisions,” says Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis. “Today’s settlement, one of the largest in OFCCP’s history, means that women who were unfairly denied job opportunities will be compensated.” OFCCP found Tyson Fresh Meats had violated Executive Order 11246, which forbids federal contractors from discriminating based on sex, during the four facilities’ compliance reviews. The $2.25 million settlement will be divided among the women as required under the settlement terms.