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Archived News Release--Caution:
information may be out of date.
For more information call: (202) 219-8211
The recently formed Dallas Apparel Manufacturers
Association (DAMA) will sign an agreement with the U.S. Department of Labor's
Wage and Hour Division at 10 a.m. Monday, July 28, at the Dallas Apparel Mart
to monitor all of its production contractors for compliance with the Fair Labor
Standards Act (FLSA).
"This agreement signifies another important milestone in
the Department of Labor's efforts to eradicate sweatshops in the garment
industry," said U.S. Labor Secretary Alexis M. Herman. "The innovative
partnerships created today will protect garment workers in Dallas and be a
great benefit to the bottom line and the integrity of the entire garment
industry."
"I applaud the commitment, initiative and responsibility
that these manufacturers have shown to improve compliance in this industry,"
said Herman. "It is my hope that the actions of the Dallas Apparel
Manufacturers Association will be yet another model for the whole industry to
follow."
The seven manufacturers are:
Hairston Roberson, Inc., in Dallas has been in
business for 13 years producing sportswear and jackets for department and
specialty stores throughout the United States and Canada, including such retail
stores as Accente, Nordstrom, Lilly Dodson, Neiman Marcus and Carriage Shop.
Central Falls in Garland has been in business for 8
years producing ladies casual sportswear for specialty stores and catalogs
throughout the United States.
Jerell, Inc., in Dallas has been in business for 33
years producing women's sportswear and dresses for department and specialty
stores throughout the United States, including such retail stores as
J.C.Penney, Foley's, Nordstrom and Sears.
Gotcha Covered, Inc., in Dallas has been in
business for 25 years producing women's apparel for department and specialty
stores such as Dillards.
F.L. Malik, Inc., in Dallas has been in business
for 10 years producing women's clothing which is sold through small to
medium-sized specialty stores throughout the southwest, southeast and midwest.
Ingamia, Inc., in Dallas has been in business for 6
years producing children's clothing for better specialty stores throughout the
United States.
C'est La Vie' in Dallas has been in business for
2-1/2 years manufacturing women's and men's clothing for catalogs under private
labels.
Typically, larger manufacturers contract out sewing orders
to smaller contractors, which is where most violations of minimum wage and
overtime laws occur. The DAMA members have agreed to monitor their
subcontractors to ensure that their products are made in compliance with the
FLSA.
Manufacturers joining the group will sign a memorandum of
understanding to comply with the minimum wage, overtime and record keeping
requirements of the FLSA. Additionally, the FLSA prohibits employment of minors
in any type of manufacturing, including sewing, and it prohibits the
manufacture of most women's apparel in the home. Also, the "hot goods"
provision of the FLSA prohibits interstate commerce of any goods produced in
violation of the FLSA. These manufacturers contract with approximately 45
percent of the area contractors.
For more information on becoming a member of DAMA, contact
any of the association's members.
The Wage and Hour Division enforces a number of labor laws
including the FLSA, the Polygraph Protection Act, the Family and Medical Leave
Act and the Migrant and Seasonal Agricultural Worker Protection Act. The Dallas
District Office is located at 525 Griffin Street, room 507. The telephone
number is (214) 767-6294.
Archived News Release--Caution:
information may be out of date.
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