Ca DIR swoops on garment shops, $252,610 penalties imposed

10 Jun '05

2 min read

The California Department of Industrial Relations' (DIR) Divisions of Labor Standards Enforcement (DLSE) and Occupational Safety and Health (Cal/OSHA), in cooperation with the California Employment Development Department and the U.S. Department of Labor released information on violations found in a three-day enforcement sweep of garment shops in Los Angeles and San Diego.

The enforcement sweep, an unannounced inspection to check for employer compliance with state workplace rules, resulted in $252,610 in proposed penalties issued by DIR.

“From the results of this enforcement action we see that there continues to be a thriving underground economy that must be stopped,” said Donna Dell, state labor commissioner and chief of DLSE.

“These enforcement actions not only protect legitimate businesses, employees and consumers, but California's economy as well. Enforcement actions are also an opportunity for us to educate employees and employers on their rights and responsibilities under the law,” he added.

During the enforcement sweep teams of investigators from the partner agencies visited the targeted businesses looking for labor law violations. Companies are identified for inspection based upon past complaints, referral from other state and local agencies and from anonymous tips from legitimate employers concerned about unfair competition.

Forty companies employing 609 employees were visited, resulting in 17 companies being in total compliance. The findings from the 23 other companies are as follows:

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