Labor Commissioner Issues Fines of $267,600 during Statewide Enforcement Activity

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.marketwatch.com/news/story/Labor-Commissioner-Issues-Fines-267600/story.aspx?guid={8BD198B9-DE84-4680-8734-5054C53A456B}

Last update: 11:48 a.m. EST Nov. 12, 2008

SAN FRANCISCO, Nov 12, 2008 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- State investigators from the California Labor Commissioners' Office issued 71 citations totaling $267,600 in fines in a two-day statewide enforcement sweep of businesses in the agricultural industry including nurseries, greenhouses, landscapers, farm labor contractors, dairies, growers and other agricultural businesses.

Forty eight businesses that were inspected received fines of $198,000 for failure to provide workers' compensation coverage for their employees and stop orders were immediately issued prohibiting the use of employee labor until they obtained workers' compensation insurance.

"Employers must maintain workers' compensation insurance," said California Labor Commissioner Angela Bradstreet. "If they continue to operate without the proper coverage we will refer the case to the local district attorney's office for possible criminal prosecution."

Over $64,000 in fines were levied against 16 businesses for failure to provide employees a wage deduction statement or failure to keep records as required under subdivision (a) of Section 226 of the Labor Code.
"Our goal is to protect workers from unfair treatment by unscrupulous employers and provide a more competitive environment for law-abiding businesses," Bradstreet said.

FULL story at link.