The United States Department of Labor's Wage and Hour Division and the California Division of Labor Standards recently investigated 10 garment producers in Los Angeles' fashion district and found widespread violations of state and federal labor laws. As a result, division investigators are looking to recover back wages for 185 affected employees, which will end up costing the companies $326,200.

Employees of the garment producers were paid on a piecemeal rate - earning wages for every piece they produced - rather than receiving compensation based on their time and attendance. As a result of this practice, many workers were earning wages far below the state minimum wage of $8 per hour.

"The extent of the violations discovered by these investigations was disappointing. Retailers need to actively ensure that clothes produced in the U.S. for sale to the American public are made by workers who are paid at least the U.S. minimum wage and proper overtime," said Hilda Solis, Secretary of Labor.

The items being produced in these facilities were bound for many popular clothing chains, such as Aldo, Charlotte Russe, Forever 21, Susan Lawrence, TJ Maxx and Marshalls, Ross, Urban Outfitters, Wet Seal and Rainbow Apparel. 

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