CA Labor Commissioner Donates Warm Coats and Other Confiscated Clothing Valued Over $15,000

OAKLAND, Calif., Dec. 6, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- California State Labor Commissioner Julie A. Su today donated clothing confiscated from underground employers in the garment industry to the Society of St. Vincent de Paul of Alameda County's Oakland Community Center. The market value of the garments is estimated to exceed $15,000.

"Especially with today's economic struggles, there are families in need of some of the basic necessities we all take for granted," said Su. "This donation helps some of those families and at the same time serves to highlight the penalties this office will impose on underground employers who undermine California's economy."

Enforcement conducted by the Labor Commissioner's office resulted in the confiscation of clothing from illegal garment shops in California. Under the law, the confiscated garments are required to be placed in storage for 45 days. As the items were manufactured illegally, they cannot enter the stream of commerce. The confiscated clothing must be destroyed or can be donated to nonprofit organizations.

Among the items distributed at today's holiday giveaway at the Oakland Community Center were coats, sweatpants, sweaters, pajamas and dresses. Families from St. Vincent de Paul's job training programs were invited to make the first selection of the clothing items donated this morning.

The Division of Labor Standards Enforcement (DLSE) protects employees' rights in the workplace while preserving a level playing field for employers who comply with the Labor Code by adjudicating wage claims, investigating discrimination and public works complaints, and enforcing state labor law and Industrial Welfare Commission wage orders. To learn more about the functions of the California Labor Commissioner, visit our Web site at www.dir.ca.gov/dlse. Employees that have work-related questions or complaints can call the California Workers' Information Hotline at 1-866-924-9757.

CONTACT:

Erika Monterroza

(510) 286-1164

Dean Fryer

(510) 286-1161

Internet: www.dir.ca.gov  

SOURCE The California Department of Industrial Relations