The U.S. Department of Labor has wrapped up an investigation into La Flor de Mexico Inc., a wholesale tortilla manufacturer in Los Angeles County, revealing a failure to pay 72 workers their due wages and overtime. As reported by KTLA, the company fell short of complying with the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) by not paying the minimum wage or overtime rates to its employees.
Not just taking a back seat, the Department of Labor's Wage and Hour Division has reclaimed a sum of $132,000, which has been split equally between back wages and liquidated damages for the affected workers. Located at a now permanently closed facility at 5121 Commerce Drive in Baldwin Park, La Flor de Mexico and the staffing agency Employee Force Provider, was found in a joint employment relationship. The latter was chiefly tasked with staffing and helping to run the day-to-day operations of the tortilla maker, according to the Department of Labor's release.
"The U.S. Department of Labor will always be vigilant to ensure all employers comply with the Fair Labor Standards Act," said Skarleth Kozlo, the Wage and Hour Division Assistant District Director in West Covina, California. "Workers must be paid correctly and on time for their work," she underscored in the statement obtained by both KTLA and the Department of Labor.
Upon the alert by Univision Los Angeles reporter Cecilia Bográn, whose May 20th news segment captured the Labor Department's attention, their investigation ensued. The manufacturer known for producing wheat, corn, oat, and multigrain tortillas as well as lavash and flatbread, is now publicly recognized for wage theft. Workers who believe they may be owed compensation can verify through the Workers Owed Wages search tool provided by the Wage and Hour Division. Moreover, assistance is available via their toll-free number, 1-866-4-US-WAGE, and additional resources are accessible through the department's timesheet apps for Android and iOS in English and Spanish.
