No Sweat- Garment Enforcement Report October 1995

	U.S. Department of Labor Office of the Secretary

www.dol.gov

Search / A to Z Index

No Sweat Garment Enforcement Report October 1995 - March 1996

Accessibility Information

Wage & Hour Division
U.S. Department of Labor
Robert B. Reich, Secretary

"The Department of Labor is committed to eradicating garment sweatshops and bringing the industry into compliance with U.S. labor laws. Americans do not want sweatshop conditions to exist in their communities. We hope that the Administration's emphasis on encouraging manufacturers not to do business with known unscrupulous contractors and to monitor formally their contractors for compliance with minimum wage and overtime laws can bring long lasting positive changes in the working conditions for this country's workers."

Secretary of Labor Robert B. Reich

The Department of Labor is engaged in a multi-pronged strategy ofenforcement, recognition, and education to eradicate sweatshops in this country.

Enforcement

The Wage and Hour Division conducts targeted enforcement sweeps in major garment centers and notifies manufacturers of the "hot goods" provision of the Fair Labor Standards Act which prevents the shipment of goods made in violation by contractors.

Recognition

In December 1995, the Department issued its first Trendsetter List, highlighting retailers and manufacturers which have assumed responsibility for monitoring practices of contractors which make their garments.

Education

The Department recently announced its garment public service announcement initiative including print and radio public service announcements and a new Internet World Wide Web site to provide information to consumers interested in helping to combat sweatshops.

This report consists of a contractors and manufacturers list and enforcement statistics for the first six months of the current fiscal year. The manufacturers list contains the names of firms Wage and Hour has contacted to notify them that contractors with whom they do business have been investigated and found to violate the FLSA. The report also contains enforcement results in the industry from October 1, 1995 through March 31, 1996.

How the list was compiled:

As part of its enforcement process, the Department of Labor's Wage and Hour Division contacts a garment manufacturer when an investigation reveals that a sewing contractor with whom the manufacturer does business has violated the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). Listed below are the names of manufacturers contacted between October 1, 1995 and March 31, 1995 and informed of contractor violations. The contractors and manufacturers are included on this list based on investigative findings of violations, not a judicial determination that any firm has violated the law.

All of the violations have been resolved and back wages paid by either the contractor or the manufacturer. Payment of back wages does not constitute an admission of liability by any firm.

This list also indicates the amount of back wages recovered for workers as a result of investigations of contractors. Only those completed investigations in which back wages were recovered in excess of $1,000, whether for employees of a contractor or manufacturer, are included on the list. Manufacturers on the list did not necessarily receive goods produced in violation of the FLSA for which back wages were owed or pay all or part of the back wages: Wage and Hour notifies manufacturers of violations by contractors with whom they did business during the relevant time frame regardless of whether the goods involved were produced for that manufacturer. The manufacturer may or may not still be doing business with the contractor.

The contractors are listed in descending order by the amount of back wages recovered. However, the severity of contractors' violations cannot be compared on the basis of the dollar amounts on this list. Back wage amounts paid to contractor employees vary based upon the facts, circumstances and time periods involved.

Manufacturers on the list that have agreed to monitor their contractors for future compliance are designated with an asterisk (*).

This list does not constitute an endorsement by the federal government of any company, nor does it constitute disapproval of any company.

CONTRACTOR	BACK WAGES RECOVERED FOR CONTRACTOR EMPLOYEES	MANUFACTURERS IDENTIFIED AS DOING BUSINESS W/CONTRACTOR DURING INVESTIGATION PERIOD
¹	$78,350	Fantasy MFG¹, Santa Ana, CA
Bally Fashion, New York, NY	$50,000	Lesley Fay*, New York, NY
YNS Sewing, Garland, Tx	$45,000	Karman*, Denver, CO
Ma's Sewing Co. #1, S.F., CA	$43,805	Byer California*, S.F., CA
New Ace, New York, NY	$41, 947	Andrea Behar, New York, NY
Southwest Sewing, Grand Prairie, TX	$36,715	H.L. Miller, Iola, KS
3-T Sewing, Dallas, TX	$35,000	Focus Apparel, Dallas, TX
H&T Sewing, Garland, TX	$33, 871	Central Falls, Garland, TX
LHLL Fashions, Brooklyn, NY	$32, 322	Allison Tracy, New York, NY
-	-	Zee International*, New York, NY
S.Y. Lee, Garland, TX	$30,385	Sharon Young, Dallas, TX
Glory Fashions, New York, NY	$30,000	Vision Apparel USA*, New York, NY
G.T. Sportswear, Inc., New Bedford, MA	$29,952	David Brooks, Dedham, MA
Jeans Compostela Magnit, Vernon, CA	$29,462	RSV Sports, Inc.*, Commerce, CA
Sun Fashion, Los Angeles, CA	$27,000	Crystal Design, Los Angeles, CA
-	-	Kandy Kiss, Pacoima, CA
-	-	Mode Chocolate, Los Angeles, CA
Prelude Sportswear, Los Angeles, CA	$26,792	Azteca, Commerce, CA
-	-	Paris Blues*, Los Angeles, CA
Tennessee River Mfr., Adamsville, TN	$25,937	Wicker's, Cormack, New York
Newtown Co., Los Angeles, CA	$25,000	Azteca, Commerce, CA
-	-	Eunina*, Los Angeles, CA
-	-	Goods Mfr. W/Care, Culver City, CA
-	-	Grind, Huntington Beach, VA
-	-	Group B., Vernon, CA
-	-	Little Man, Los Angeles, CA
-	-	Paris Blues*, Los Angeles, CA
-	-	St. Germain, Los Angeles, CA
-	-	Yes, Los Angeles, CA
Am-Way, New York, NY	$23,808	Depeche Mode*, New York, NY
High Tech, New York, NY	$20,163	4U Sportswear, New York, NY
-	-	New Ace, New York, NY
Joseph's Cutting, Inc., New Bedford, MA	$18,542	David Brooks, Dedham, MA
JD&W Sewing, S.F., CA	$18,948	Resource Prod., S.F., CA
Ajoo, Inc., Passaic, NJ	$16,750	Periscope Sportswear, North Bergen, NJ
Kazu, Inc., Los Angeles, CA	$16,559	Jim Elliot, Huntington Pk, CA
-	-	Jonathan Martin, Los Angeles, CA
-	-	N.S. Collection, Los Angeles, CA
Precision Sewing	$15,161	BB Apparel
Garden Grove, CA	-	Los Angeles, CA
-	-	Bethal Fashion, Los Angeles, CA
-	-	Bunniel, Los Angeles, CA
-	-	DK Fashion, Los Angeles, CA
-	-	Forum/Colors, Los Angeles, CA
-	-	Mimosa, Los Angeles, CA
-	-	Oh Yes, Los Angeles, CA
-	-	Pandemonium, Los Angeles, CA
-	-	Tempo, Los Angeles, CA
-	-	Topaz, Los Angeles, CA
Italy Int'l, South El Monte, CA	$14,848	Jowett Garment Factory, Los Angeles, CA
-	-	LaBelle*, Los Angeles, CA
Neko Fashions, New York, NY	$14,104	Total Control Apparel*, New York, NY
Nodi Fashions, West New York, NJ	$13,694	Periscope, West Orange, NJ
Grow Rich, New York, NY	$13,399	CHM, New York, NY
-	-	Notations Clothing*, Huntington, PA
BT&T Fashion, Santa Ana, CA	$13,078	Ann Klein-Sirena, El Monte, CA
-	-	Counter Culture, Huntington Beach, CA
-	-	Yaga, Inc., Irvine, CA
D&E, New York, NY	$12,839	Notations Clothing*, Huntington, PA
Hass Outdoors, Westpoint, MS	$11,504	Halls Mfr., Sunbright, TN
Don Fashion, Santa Ana, CA	$11,368	Gazoz Sportswear, Los Angeles, CA
-	-	Switch USA, Today, Los Angeles, CA
KP Fashion, Los Angeles, CA	$11,171	Tapestry, Compton, CA
Kowoon, New York, NY	$11,096	Periwinkle, New York, NY
Dynamite, Brooklyn, NY	$11,000	Norton McNaughton*, New York, NY
LeFamily Sewing, Garland, TX	$10,653	Central Falls, Garland, TX
Nittany, Inc., Long Island City, NY	$10,566	BCL, New York, NY
-	-	Object D'Art*, New York, NY
K You, New York, NY	$10,500	Norton McNaughton*, New York, NY
¹	$10,116	Norma Fashions*, Miami, FL
Eric Fashions, Union City, NJ	$9,921	Melody, New York, NY
-	-	SCA Isle, New York, NY
Calway, Inc., Westminster, CA	$9,180	Guess Classics/Paul D'Avril, Los Angeles, CA
-	-	Quicksilver*, Costa Mesa, CA
Dong Do, New York, NY	$8,147	Vision Apparel, USA*, New York, NY
Jeff's Cutting, Fall River, MA	$8,030	Cape Cod Needleworks, Brockton, MA
-	-	Essex, Mfg., Fall River, MA
-	-	Foxcroft, Fall River, MA
-	-	Susan Bristol, Boston, MA
HL Easy Way, New York, NY	$7,820	Miss Juli, New York, NY
Parcel, Los Angeles, CA	$7,667	Creative Garments, Los Angeles, CA
-	-	Guild, Los Angeles, CA
-	-	Michel, Inc., Los Angeles, CA
-	-	Team Tactics, Los Angeles, CA
Long Fashion, Garland, TX	$7,549	Central Falls, Garland, TX
Empress Sewing, Oakland, CA	$7,514	J&M Varon, Aliso Viejo, CA
Family Fashion, Garland, TX	$7,394	Carol First, Dallas, TX
Hong Hing Sewing Co., Oakland, CA	$6,918	Fritzi California*, S.F., CA
-	-	Mycra Pac, Lafayette, CA
L.C. Apparel, Fairfax, VA	$6,839	Seibel & Stern, Bridgeton, NJ
Jenny's Apparel, Cerritos, CA	$6,559	Dori Fashion, Los Angeles, CA
-	-	Rose Fashions, Los Angeles, CA
-	-	Veronica Fashion, Los Angeles, CA
Blue N'Blue, Los Angeles, CA	$6,302	Navi Mfg., Los Angeles, CA
-	-	Paris Blues*, Los Angeles, CA
-	-	RSV Sports, Inc.*, Commerce, CA
Meiga Apparel, Garland, TX	$6,255	Central Falls, Garland, TX
EDCCA, Los Angeles, CA	$5,889	Jerry Leigh, Los Angeles, CA
M&L Sewing, S.F., CA	$5,658	David Wayne, S.F., CA
G&A Bias, Los Angeles, CA	$5,551	ABS, Los Angeles, CA
-	-	Average, Los Angeles, CA
-	-	BeBop Clothing, Los Angeles, CA
-	-	Body Waves, Garden Grove, CA
-	-	CA Connection, Los Angeles, CA
-	-	Carol Anderson
-	-	Rancho Dominguez, CA
-	-	Choon, Los Angeles, CA
-	-	Chorus Line*, Vernon, CA
-	-	City Lights, Los Angeles, CA
-	-	GSL*, Commerce CA
-	-	Interelements, Los Angeles, CA
-	-	Italian Club, Vernon, CA
-	-	LA Gold*, Vernon, CA
-	-	Little Filly*, Commerce, CA
-	-	Seams Great, Del Mar, CA
-	-	Sharon Anthony, Gardena, CA
-	-	Sung Do*, Rancho Dominguez, CA
-	-	US Boys, Vernon, CA
Louie's Sewing Shop, S.F., CA	$5,483	Byer California*, S.F., CA
Sin Comentarios, Long Island City, NY	$5,060	Cool Wear*, New York, NY
¹	$5,000	Broadway Hat*¹, New York, NY
Liang's Sewing, San Francisco, CA	$4,420	David Wayne, San Francisco, CA
K&D Fashion, Los Angeles, CA	$4,239	Asriel Fashion, Los Angeles, cA
-	-	Celavie, Los Angeles, CA
-	-	Regine, Los Angeles, CA
-	-	Rock Candy, Los Angeles, CA
-	-	Zoompy Fashion, Los Angeles, CA
K&Y Fashion, Los Angeles, CA	$4,040	ABA Fashion, Los Angeles, CA
-	-	Mira Fashion, Los Angeles, CA
-	-	Patty Ahn, Los Angeles, CA
-	-	Star Fashion, Los Angeles, CA
-	-	Superline Line Cutting, Los Angeles, CA
Carol's Fashion, Los Angeles, CA	$4,000	Top Ten, Los Angeles, CA
Pari, Los Angeles, CA	$3,769	Monarch Knit & Sportswear, Los Angeles, CA
Jong Lee, New York, NY	$3,765	Lee & Family*, New York, NY
Forever Studio, New York, NY	$3,750	Ashley Scott, New York, NY
Debra Fashion, Los Angeles, CA	$3,711	Poly Fashion, Los Angeles, CA
Bart Sportwear, Brooklyn, NY	$3,661	Necessary Objects, New York, NY
-	-	Object D'Art, New York, NY
Chui Heng, Inc., Los Angeles, CA	$3,592	Children Co., Los Angeles, CA
-	-	Jean Zone, Los Angeles, CA
-	-	Kids for Kids, Los Angeles, CA
-	-	Mirana Clothing Co., Los Angeles, CA
Stitches Apparel, Philadelphia, PA	$3,574	Hartstrings, Inc., Philadelphia, PA
C.R. Sportswear, West New York, NJ	$3,568	Periscope, West Orange, NY
Kinbeau, Inc., S.F., CA	$3,500	JJ'S Rainbeau, S.F., CA
1	$3,480	Accent Fabrics*¹, Lumberton, NC
Kyeong IE Anjos, Inc., Los Angeles, CA	$3,271	Dumas, Inc., W. Los Angeles, CA
Sau Ming Sewing Shop, S.F., CA	$2,948	Sweet Potato*, Berkeley, CA
Downtown Dyers & Industry, Huntington Park, CA	$2,946	Amertex, Int'l, Alhambra, CA
-	-	Amigo Fashion, Los Angeles, CA
-	-	BCBG, Vernon, CA
-	-	BJ Design, Downey, CA
-	-	Bisou-Bisou, Los Angeles, CA
-	-	Cyrus Hosiery, Los Angeles, CA
-	-	Design Zone, Los Angeles, CA
-	-	EBGB, Los Angeles, CA
-	-	Eli's Trim, Los Angeles, cA
-	-	Francine Browner*, Los Angeles, CA
-	-	Gina K, Los Angeles, CA
-	-	Gloria Fashion, Los Angeles, CA
-	-	Granite/Mirrors, Vernon, CA
-	-	Great Escape, Los Angeles, CA
-	-	Group B, Vernon, CA
-	-	Jalate*, Los Angeles, CA
-	-	John M. Fulmer, Los Angeles, CA
-	-	Judy Ann of CA, Los Angeles, CA
-	-	Kass & Co., Los Angeles, CA
-	-	L'Korel Industries, Vernon, CA
-	-	LA Exchange, Commerce, CA
-	-	Little Laura*, Los Angeles, CA
-	-	Marcy N'Me, Los Angeles, CA
-	-	Maureen Benun, Los Angeles, CA
-	-	MCB, Los Angeles, CA
-	-	Miss Elliot, Los Angeles, CA
-	-	OTO Sportswear, Los Angeles, CA
-	-	Pacific Button & Trims, Los Angeles, CA
-	-	Pia Clothing, Los Angeles, CA
-	-	Rampage*, Los Angeles, CA
-	-	Spencer Alexis, Los Angeles, CA
-	-	SWAT*, Industry, CA
-	-	The Original, Inc., Los Angeles, CA
Lee Choi, Inc., Philadephia, PA	$2,924	Style Setters Fashions, Philadelphia, PA
Chums Corp., Long Island City, NY	$2,750	Another Thyme, New York, NY
TLD Fashion Corp., Philadelphia, PA	$2,700	Coates Brothers Clothing, Philadelphia, PA
-	-	Mother's Works, Inc., Philadelphia, PA
-	-	Neckworks, Ivyland, PA
-	-	Pine Shirt, Company, Pottsville, PA
Mr. Lee, Silver Spring, MD	$2,622	Style Setters Fashions, Philadelphia, PA
Jay Fashion, Los Angeles, CA	$2,600	Blooming Collection, Los Angeles, CA
-	-	Clara Fashion, Los Angeles, CA
-	-	Finesse, Los Angeles, CA
-	-	Unique Design dba Jenny's, Los Angeles, CA
May Apparel, Whitaker, New York	$2,555	Randy Industries, New York, NY
Chausam dba Songs Fashion Co., Bloomington, CA	$2,543	JR Wholesale, Los Angeles, CA
Nataly Fashions, Union City, NJ	$2,500	Chi Chi Fashions, Elizabeth, NJ
-	-	Clothes Works, Hackensack, NJ
JLJ Fashions, Brooklyn, NY	$2,492	Lori Tori Togs, New York, NY
Goodview Sewing, Oakland, CA	$2,491	Designer Wear, Lafayette, CA
-	-	Mycra Pac, Lafayette, CA
Marroner, New York, NY	$2,381	Copy Cat, New York, NY
Sunny Fashion, Los Angeles, CA	$2,189	BCBG, Vernon, CA
-	-	Eminance, Los Angeles, CA
-	-	Mica, Los Angeles, CA
-	-	Miss Ashlee, Los Angeles, CA
All Fashion, El Monte, CA	$2,168	Jerry Leigh, Los Angeles, CA
-	-	Sirena Apparel Group Los Angeles, CA
Five Four Fashion, Westminster, PS	$1,936	Paris Blues*, Los Angeles, CA
-	-	RSV Sports, Inc.*, Commerce, CA
Young's Garment, Los Angeles, CA	$1,857	Double Fault, Los Angeles, CA
-	-	ENA, Los Angeles, CA
Quality Pressing, S.F., CA	$1,847	J&M Varon, Aliso Viejo, CA
P.J.L., Los Angeles, CA	$1,837	Baxis, Los Angeles, CA
Carlson Sewing, Irving, TX	$1,825	Watters & Watters*, Dallas, TX
Elegance Sewing Co. & Embroidery, Oakland, CA	$1,800	Bitech, Auburn, CA
-	-	Nine One Six (916), Auburn, CA
Young Soo, Inc., Gardena, CA	$1,757	BC Ethic, Los Angeles, CA
-	-	Little Laura*, Los Angeles, CA
-	-	Pac Continental, Rancho Dominguez, CA
Haya Imports, Chicago, IL	$1,723	Mademoiselle, Inc., Chicago, IL
Rise Knitting, Santa Ana, CA	$1,720	J&M Varon, Aliso, Viejo, CA
Best Fashion, Garden Grove, CA	$1,709	La Gal/En Focus, Los Angeles, CA
Leen Fashion, Los Angeles, CA	$1,696	Hendy Collection, Los Angeles, CA
Silver Berry, Long Island City, NY	$1,504	Christine James, New York, NY
Sandana, Murietta, CA	$1,389	Sally Lou, New York, NY
Waterfront Sportswear, Fall River, MA	$1,329	K.R.G., Inc., Lawrence, MA
-	-	Susan Bristol, Boston, MA
San Miguel, West New York, NJ	$1,275	Flamingo Blue*, Newark, NJ
SKL Fashions, New York, NY	$1,234	Sally Lou, New York, NY
M&J Sportswear, Passaic, NJ	$1,064	Lily Group*, Orange, NJ

* Manufacturers on the list that have agreed to monitor thier contractors for future compliance are designed with an asterisk.

1 This manufacturer was contacted because of its own FLSA violations. The back wages indicated were recovered on behalf of the manufacturer's own employees.