The state Labor Commissioner’s Office announced today that their investigators have issued $682,345 in fines to 18 garment manufacturers and contractors in a two-day enforcement operation in the Los Angeles area.
The penalties included a total of $603,045 in fines and stop-orders for six employers with no workers’ compensation insurance, and $42,300 in penalties issued to 14 businesses for garment registration violations, according to the Labor Commissioner’s Office.
Investigators confiscated 85 bags of garments, allegedly manufactured illegally, worth about $155,455 at nine of the businesses, according to the Labor Commissioner’s Office.
“Sweatshop operators threaten garment workers’ rights and undermine honest employers in the industry, making it difficult for legitimate garment businesses to stay in operation,” Labor Commissioner Julie A. Su said. “These illegal entities should take note, we will shine a light on the underground economy and those who contract with unregistered contractors also will be held accountable.”
The two-day enforcement sweep began on Sept. 7 and included 22 worksite inspections, the Labor Commissioner’s Office said. The 18 garment businesses cited employ nearly 300 workers, according to the Labor Commissioner’s Office, which said it is pursuing wage-theft investigations of those employers accused of not paying proper wages under the state Labor Code.
The Garment Manufacturing Act of 1980 requires that all industry employers register with the Labor Commissioner and demonstrate adequate character, competency and responsibility, including workers’ compensation insurance coverage.
