Los Angeles Employment Lawyer Blog

Driving down Sunset Boulevard in Hollywood, picket signs outside of restaurants and carwashes are easy to spot. Finally, the public is speaking out about the more than 26% of the California Population that is foreign-born and immigrant workers. These workers are often exploited to work longer hours, in unsafe conditions, and for less pay than their naturalized and citizen counterparts. Finally, the courts, the public, and the press are realizing that enough is enough.

There are over 3.7 million Californians working in jobs whose median wage is less than $10 an hour, and these workers are considered “low-wage” employees. It is estimated that as many as two million more workers may be employed in California’s growing underground economy. Most low-wage workers are immigrants and are nonwhite. Traditionally these low-wage jobs in California include restaurant and food service employees, janitors, farm laborers, health aides, cashiers , hotel cleaners, assemblers, security guards, retail clerks and sewing machine operators, to name a few. In addition to making $10 or less per hour, many immigrants are making much less than the California minimum wage of $8.00 per hour. Even greater numbers are being forced to work beyond the typical 40 hour workweek, through meal and rest breaks, and when they look at their pay stub (if they are lucky enough to have a pay stub) they find there is no overtime pay. Many times they are listed as having worked a part-time workweek, though in fact they worked much, much more.

What can these workers do? Fortunately, attorneys such as the experienced lawyers at Greenberg & Rudman LLP have been fighting for the equal opportunities and the rights of immigrant workers for years. They know the law and know how to get each worker their rightful pay and to fight predatory employment practices. How can they help you? If you are an immigrant worker, keep your pay stubs. If you do not receive pay stubs, keep very clear records of your hours worked and what you are paid (as well as what you are supposed to be paid). In many cases, you can recover more than just your wages owed but also labor penalties for withheld wages. When you are ready to discuss your case, call the experienced attorneys at Greenberg & Rudman LLP at 1-800-252-9776 for your free consultation and to discuss your case and how the law can help you.