Labor Enforcement Task Force Announces Public Hotline for Complaints and Tips

OAKLAND, Calif., May 23, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- California's Labor Enforcement Task Force (LETF), a multiple agency collaborative effort to combat the underground economy and improve the state's business environment, has announced a public hotline, 855-297-5322, for California workers and employers to call in documented complaints or provide enforcement tips. 

"This LETF Hotline is another step towards ensuring that workers and employers have somewhere to report unlawful work activities, or if they suspect that a business is skirting the law in an effort to get a leg up on competition," said DIR Director Christine Baker.  "The hotline will be a valuable tool to gather information to bring into compliance those employers who treat workplace safety and wage and hour laws as a nuisance."

The LETF was formed to:

• Ensure California workers receive proper payment of wages and are provided a safe work environment;
• Ensure California receives all employment taxes, fees, and penalties due from employers;
• Eliminate unfair business competition by leveling the playing field;
• Make efficient use of state and federal resources in carrying out the mission of the Labor Enforcement Task Force

LETF members include: DIR's Division of Labor Standards Enforcement (Labor Commissioner) and Cal/OSHA, as well as the Employment Development Department, Board of Equalization, Alcohol and Beverage Control and the Bureau of Automotive Repair.

Businesses operating underground generally violate those laws that are designed to protect workers and California's economy.  Skirting income taxes, not carrying workers' compensation insurance, and paying employees less than what they are owed are common practices of underground businesses.  These underground operations subsequently require lower overhead, giving an unfair advantage to the illegal businesses over legitimate, law-abiding employers. 

California workers and employers can contact the LETF hotline at 855-297-5322. Complaints will be screened and prioritized in order to catch the most egregious offenders.

For more information on employer and employee rights and responsibilities, please visit www.dir.ca.gov.

CONTACT:
Dean Fryer
Erika Monterroza
(510) 286-1161
Twitter: @CA_DIR
Facebook.com/CaliforniaDIR

SOURCE California Department of Industrial Relations

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