WORKERS LEND SUPPORT FOR DIR FUND INCREASE
Byline: Katherine Bowers
LOS ANGELES — Garment workers rallied Friday in support of a proposal to add $5 million in funding to the state’s Department of Industrial Relations, which investigates labor violations.
The rally drew about 70 representatives of the garment and other so-called “low-wage” industries, including janitorial, restaurant and day labor.
Gov. Gray Davis will review the proposed increase — earmarked to expand labor enforcement — at a hearing set for July 26.
“We felt it was imperative to show the governor the workers support the increase,” said Joann Lo, a spokeswoman with the Garment Workers Center, a nonprofit advocacy group that has a number of outstanding wage claims against local contractors. “Supporting an increase in DIR’s enforcement budget will be the first step to improving workplace conditions for immigrant workers.”
Garment worker Yeny Saavedre spoke about her working for Ocean Side Garment Manufacturing Co., which allegedly produced garments for Levi’s, Billabong, Sears’ private label denim line, Canyon River Blues and Authentic Fitness’s Speedo. Saavedre said she kept examples of the labels she sewed into garments.
“At Ocean Side, I regularly worked about 11 hours a day, Monday through Friday, but sometimes worked up to 15 hours a day. I never received overtime pay,” said Saavedre, adding that she is owed almost $10,000 in wages.
The Garment Workers Center, on behalf of Saavedre, filed a claim against SJOS Premium Corp., dba Ocean Side Garment Manufacturing Co.
Recovering wages is tricky, Lo said, because individuals form companies quickly to meet orders and then disband without paying the workers. According to Saavedre, owner Sky Lee closed Ocean Side shortly after the claim was filed.
What’s more, Lo said the Center will be looking to hold the manufacturers jointly liable per Assembly Bill 633, the controversial state law that went into effect Jan. 1 of this year. AB633 aims to hold manufacturers liable and create a wage guarantee in cases where contractors are found in violation of minimum wage and overtime laws. At issue is the precise definition of a manufacturer, in cases where retailers have their own lines.
Lo admitted it’s a complicated process to determine the chain of contractors, subcontractors and manufacturers, but said that the group is investigating leads.