EEEC Conducts San Diego Restaurant Enforcement Sweeps

Investigators with the Economic and Employment Enforcement Coalition (EEEC) issued 23 citations in March to businesses in the restaurant industry. A total of 32 restaurants were visited in San Diego and Orange Counties during the sweep.

EEEC is a multi-agency task force designed to root out California’s underground economy. In the enforcement sweep of restaurants, the EEEC targeted businesses that avoid labor, tax and licensing laws, safety and health regulations and carry no workers’ compensation insurance for their employees to gain a competitive economic advantage over legitimate businesses that follow the law.

“Our enforcement efforts provide protections for both employees and employers in the state of California” said EEEC Executive Director David Dorame. “Employees are provided basic protections for proper payment of wages, workplace safety and rest breaks as well as other protections. For employers we provide vigorous enforcement against competitors who do not follow California labor laws and gain an unfair economic advantage.”

The citations amounted to $422,250, and were for not having workers’ compensation, not taking required payroll deductions, not requiring proper work permits for minors and not paying proper minimum wage.

Launched in July 2005, EEEC was formed to enforce California labor laws, and to educate business owners and workers on those laws and regulations. In addition, EEEC helps to educate business owners on California’s employment laws and their responsibilities, and educates employees on their rights as workers.

EEEC is a collaboration of the Labor and Workforce Development Agency’s Department of Industrial Relations (Division of Occupational Safety and Health; Division of Labor Standards Enforcement) and the Employment Development Department. The U.S. Department of Labor participates in the EEEC, as well as the Contractors State License Board when targeting the construction industry.

Source: EEEC