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Archived News Release--Caution: information may be out of date.

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Office of Public Affairs

OPA Press Release: Labor Department Releases First Quarter '99 Garment Enforcement Report [06/08/1999]

For more information call: (202) 693-4667

The U.S. Department of Labor recovered $636,191 in back wages for 1,290 garment workers during October, November and December 1998, for minimum wage and overtime violations of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), according to the department's latest Garment Enforcement Report.

The largest case included in the report involved Mott Street Production. The New York City-based sewing shop violated the minimum wage provision and failed to pay time-and-a-half overtime pay to employees who worked more than 40 hours in a week. Following intervention by the department, Mott Street Production paid $142,010 in back wages to 58 employees.

"The Labor Department will continue to enforce laws making sure employees are paid the wages they have earned," said Secretary of Labor Alexis M. Herman. "The rate of violations in some U.S. garment shops is still unacceptable and we are constantly working to improve the level of compliance in this industry."

During the first quarter of fiscal 1999, the department's Wage and Hour division conducted 175 investigations, finding violations in 55 cases. The department also assessed $135,395 in civil penalties for repeat and willful violations of the minimum wage and overtime laws.

The quarterly report lists 35 contractors and 83 manufacturers. The New York region had the most investigations (63). California had the most investigations with violations(29), the most back wages recovered ($369,695 for 863 employees), and the most civil penalties assessed ($120,040).

The department began issuing quarterly Garment Enforcement Reports in 1996 to provide retailers and consumers with information about contractors that violate the minimum wage and overtime laws and the manufacturers they do business with.

Previous Garment Enforcement Reports are available on the Internet at the Labor Department's home page at www.dol.gov.

Archived News Release--Caution: information may be out of date.