A federal investigation has recovered $ 465,993 in back wages and damages for 44 employees of a California injection medical molding manufacturer who denied them the wages they earned legally, including overtime, classifying many apprentices incorrectly.
An investigation of the Hours and Wages Division from the Department of Labor determined that Providien Injection Molding Inc. paid a flat weekly rate in Mexican pesos to technicians traveling from the company's branch in Tijuana, Mexico, to work at his Carlsbad establishment.
Investigators found that the employer paid technicians only $ 3.29 per hour, a violation of the minimum wage provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act. Additionally, the division found that Providien violated federal overtime rules by failing to pay overtime wages to technicians who worked an average of 45 hours per week. The employer also did not keep accurate records of hours and payrolls accordingly.
The research also found that Providien classified technicians as apprentices during the nearly 16 months they worked at the establishment in Carlsbad as the company prepared to relocate its factory to Tijuana.
The division recovered $ 217,402 in overtime back wages for all 44 affected workers, and an additional $ 15,594 in minimum wages owed by the employer for 13 employees, plus $ 232,996 in damages for all 44 affected workers. The division also imposed a civil fine of $ 25,935 on Providien for the deliberate nature of the violations.
"This case reflects an alarming trend where employers send employees across the border and work in the US. USA and then they deny them the rights and protections of all US workers. USA, "explained the District Director of the Hours and Wages Division, Min Park-Chung, in San Diego. "If you work in California, or anywhere in the US. USA and your employer pays you less than the federal minimum wage ( no matter what currency you use ), contact the Hours and Wages Division".
As a branch of Carlisle Companies Inc. in Scottsdale, Arizona, Providien Injection Molding manufactures medical devices and components. In addition to Carlsbad, Providien has establishments in Sylmar and San Diego, and on the border with Tijuana.
The division enforces the law no matter where a worker comes from, and can speak confidentially to callers in more than 200 languages. For more information on the FLSA and other laws applied by the division, contact the agency's free helpline at 866-4US-WAGE ( 487-9243 ). Learn more about the Hours and Wages Division, including one search tool which you can use if you think the division owes you back wages. Download the new one Timesheet application from the agency for IOS and Android devices ( also available in Spanish ) to ensure that hours worked and remuneration are accurate.
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