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OPA News Release: [03/28/2002]
Contact Name: Geoff
Embler
Labor Secretary Elaine L. Chao Announces
Increased Compliance in
Garment Industry
Compliance Assistance Seen As Effective Tool To Improve
Working Conditions
WASHINGTON – U.S. Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao today
announced the results of the latest survey of garment shops in New York City
and San Francisco, showing significant improvement in the level of compliance
with labor standards in New York and a continued high level of compliance in
San Francisco.
“We are pleased with the results of these surveys,” Chao said.
“Working conditions are improved for people in the garment industry when
we combine effective compliance assistance with tough enforcement.”
In New York, the survey found
that 93 percent of garment workers were paid in compliance with the minimum
wage requirement of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), compared to 83 percent
in previous survey conducted in 1999. Sixty-two percent of the garment workers
there were paid in compliance with the FLSA overtime requirement, compared to
just 42 percent in 1999.
In the San Francisco area,
the survey found 96 percent of garment workers paid in compliance with both the
minimum wage and overtime requirements, compared to 87 percent in 1999.
The severity of violations found also continued to decline. In New York,
average back wages due per employee was $251, compared to $516 in 1999. In San
Francisco, average back wages due per employees was $212, compared to $299 in
1999.
The survey also shows that no child labor violations were found in
either New York City or the San Francisco Bay area.
“These are positive results, but there is more work to be
done,” Wage and Hour Administrator Tammy D. McCutchen said. “While
the compliance surveys have shown an increase in compliance and decrease in
severity of the violations, we want to ensure that the number of workers paid
in compliance with the nation’s labor laws continues to increase.
Improving compliance in the garment industry will continue to be a priority for
the Wage and Hour Division.”
For more information about the Fair Labor Standards Act and other laws
administered by the Wage and Hour Division, call the Department of Labor’s
toll-free help line at 1-866-4USWAGE (1-866-487-9243). Information is also
available on the Internet at www.dol.gov.
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_________________________________________________________________
U.S. Labor Department news releases are accessible on the Internet at
www.dol.gov. The information in this release
will be made available in alternate format upon request (large print, Braille,
audio tape or disc)from the COAST office. Please specify which news release
when placing your request. Call 202-693-7773 or TTY 202-693-7755.
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