Wage and Hour Division (WHD)

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SAN FRANCISCO -- A Northridge, Calif., garment manufacturer has been ordered to pay $59,787 in back wages to 40 low-wage garment workers, plus an equal amount in liquidated damages, the U.S. Department of Labor announced today. The U.S. District Court for the Central District of California granted summary judgment March 22 in favor of the department against JBL Cal Apparel, owned by Louis and Raymond Wang.

An investigation by the Labor Department’s Wage and Hour Division found that the company had altered timecards and failed to pay the workers almost $59,800 for overtime hours worked between Jan. 30, 2002 and Jan. 30, 2004. The court found the Wangs did not maintain accurate records for all hours worked and claimed workers were paid by the hour instead of on a piece-rate basis. The Northridge-based apparel firm manufactures women’s casual tops and blouses sold by major retailers nationwide.

“The Department of Labor is committed to strong enforcement of the law to ensure that all employees receive the wages they earn,” said George Friday Jr., Western regional administrator for Wage and Hour. “We are pleased to see that justice has been served for these low-wage workers.” The department’s Wage and Hour Division recovered more than $166 million in back wages in fiscal year 2005 for more than 241,000 workers.

The Labor Department, several state agencies and others organizations, such as EEOC, the Diocese of San Bernardino, the consulates of Mexico and several Central American countries, are partners in an initiative that assists Spanish-speaking workers and employers with work-related concerns. Known as Employment Education and Outreach (EMPLEO), this alliance has established a local toll-free help line, 1-877-55-AYUDA (877-552-9832). Callers to the help line are assisted by volunteers who refer them to the appropriate EMPLEO partner for assistance.

The judgment enjoins the defendants from future violations of the minimum wage, overtime pay, recordkeeping and “hot goods” provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). The FLSA requires that employees earn no less than the federal minimum wage for all hours worked, and one-and-one-half times their regular rate for hours worked over 40 in a single workweek. The “hot goods” provision bars the shipment of goods produced in violation of the law. For more information about the FLSA, call the Los Angeles Wage and Hour office at (213) 894-6375 or the Department of Labor's toll-free help line at 1-866-4US WAGE (1-866-487-9243). Information is also available on the Internet at www.wagehour.dol.gov.

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U.S. Department of Labor releases are accessible on the Internet at www.dol.gov. The information in this news release will be made available in alternate format (large print, Braille, audio tape or disc) from the COAST office upon request. Please specify which news release when placing your request at (202) 693-7828 or TTY (202) 693-7755. The Labor Department is committed to providing America’s employers and employees with easy access to understandable information on how to comply with its laws and regulations. For more information, please visit www.dol.gov/compliance.