Rangoon Ruby and Burma Ruby, a restaurant chain in California has agreed to pay $4 million to settle a wage theft case that alleged that roughly 300 immigrant workers were cheated out of overtime and minimum wages.
After a yearlong investigation by the California Labor Commissioner’s Office, it was discovered that the restaurant chain had not paid 87 cooks significant amounts of overtime pay and that 211 servers, dishwashers and hosts were owed lost wages for split shifts. According to the workers who initially lodged the complaint, they were often called into work hours before their shifts started and not compensated for this work and were required to be on call 24/7 in order to fulfill delivery and catering orders. The restaurant owners were also allegedly housing many of their employees in crowded dormitories.
“The workers who came to us weren’t sure what their legal rights were and were worried about what would happen if they came forward,” stated a representative for the workers. It is even harder for some workers who relied on the employer not just for work but for housing as well. We hope other immigrant workers who are facing violations in their own work place feel inspired to come forward.”
If you have any questions regarding your wages or rights as a worker, please call the attorneys at Pechman Law Group for a free consultation. 212-583-9500
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