Probe finds Bushwick businesses paying 'slave' wages
Many Bushwick businesses are paying workers less than minimum wage, according to a state Department of Labor investigation. "We are working 12, and sometimes 14 hours, and they pay only $35 a day," said
News 12 Staff
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Dec 20, 2007, 12:24 AM
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Updated 5,984 days ago
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Many Bushwick businesses are paying workers less than minimum wage, according to a state Department of Labor investigation.
"We are working 12, and sometimes 14 hours, and they pay only $35 a day," said worker Julie Ortiz. "The money never goes up."
Investigators said they found plenty of stores along Bushwick's Knickerbocker Avenue in violation of the $7.15 minimum wage rate.
Some alleged offenders include two Wow Car Wash locations that owe close to $100,000 in back wages. The boutique Magic Girls was found by the labor department to owe more than $40,000.
The Department of Labor plans to continue its investigation of businesses throughout the state.
Violators face penalties and fines.
