Calif. Labor Commissioner Fines Agriculture Businesses More than $269,000
Officials with the California State Division of Labor Standards Enforcement (Labor Commissioner's Office) issued citations totaling more than $269,000 in fines to agriculture businesses in a statewide, two-day enforcement sweep.
"Our efforts are directed at illegally operating businesses as part of the underground economy," said Angela Bradstreet, California Labor Commissioner. "These illegal operations have a negative impact on our state's economy, do not provide the protection workers are legally afforded, and have an unfair advantage over competitors who do follow the law."
Twenty-four teams of investigators conducted the two day sweeps on Sept. 24-25. Out of 194 inspections, 35 agriculture businesses were cited. Twenty five agriculture businesses received work stop notices until they can provide workers' compensation insurance for their employees. The violations included failure to:
- Provide work permits for minors;
- Failure to pay the minimum wage;
- Provide employees with an itemize wage deduction statement;
- Pay overtime wages;
- Pay the annual registration with the commissioner's office; and,
- Provide workers' compensation.
For more information, go to www.dir.ca.gov/dlse.