California Governor Signs Garment Worker Protection Act Into State Law

Governor Gavin Newsom has signed Garment Worker Protection Act into California law, ensuring minimum wage for the state’s garment workers.

The law effectively closes a loophole that allowed brands to skirt the state’s $14 minimum wage requirement by paying workers on a piece-rate basis, which resulted in lower pay for workers. The newly signed law will also hold brands accountable for violations such as wage theft and underpayment to workers employed by supplier factories.

“These measures protect marginalized low-wage workers, many of whom are women of color and immigrants, ensuring they are paid what they are due and improving workplace conditions,” Newsom said.

The bill was authored by Senator María Elena Durazo, who highlighted the results of investigations that have revealed underpayment and worsening working conditions of garment factory workers, especially since the start of the pandemic. The garment industry in Los Angeles employs more than 40,000 workers across 2,000 factories.

“Today, we won justice for garment workers,” Durazo said. “For too long, bad-actor manufacturers have exploited garment workers toiling in unsanitary conditions for as little as $5 an hour.”

The bill was first introduced in December 2020 and it has been widely supported by worker rights advocates and more than 100 fashion companies, Business of Fashion reported. It was passed in a 43–12 vote earlier this month before it was sent to Newsom.

Originally published at https://retailbum.com on September 28, 2021.