Labor Commissioner Launches Online Registration Process for Garment Manufacturers

USA - English

• USA - español

OAKLAND, Calif., Nov. 21, 2016 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Labor Commissioner's Office has launched an online system to make it easier for garment manufacturers to register with the State of California.

"Garment registration laws help to combat sweatshop conditions and root out the underground economy," said Labor Commissioner Julie A. Su. "This new online registration system offers garment manufacturers or contractors an easy way to apply for, or renew, registration certificates to comply with the law."  

The online application is part of the Department of Industrial Relations' effort to upgrade departmental systems in order to improve customer service. It allows applicants to save their application in progress and submit it when completed along with required attachments. Fees can be paid by credit card or electronic funds transfer. Application instructions and a checklist are posted on the website.

The Garment Manufacturing Act of 1980 requires that all employers engaged in the business of garment manufacturing register with the Labor Commissioner and demonstrate adequate character, competency, and responsibility, including workers' compensation insurance coverage. Garment manufacturers who contract with unregistered entities are automatically deemed joint employers of the workers in the contract facility. The Labor Commissioner's Office has posted a garment registration database that details whether manufacturers or contractors are properly registered.

For more information on the online process, contact the Licensing and Registration Unit at (510) 285-3398, calls from the public are answered Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 8am to 5pm, or by emailing [email protected]

The Labor Commissioner's Office, formally known as the Division of Labor Standards Enforcement (DLSE), is a division of the Department of Industrial Relations (DIR). Among its wide-ranging enforcement responsibilities, the Labor Commissioner's Office inspects workplaces for wage and hour violations, adjudicates wage claims, enforces prevailing wage rates and apprenticeship standards in public works projects, investigates retaliation complaints, issues licenses and registrations for businesses and educates the public on labor laws.

Employees with work-related questions or complaints may contact DIR's Call Center in English or Spanish at 844-LABOR-DIR (844-522-6734). The California Workers' Information line at 866-924-9757 also offers recorded information in English and Spanish on a variety of work-related topics.

Members of the press may contact Paola Laverde or Peter Melton at (510) 286-1161, and are encouraged to subscribe to email alerts for DIR's press releases or other departmental updates.  

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The California Department of Industrial Relations, established in 1927, protects and improves the health, safety, and economic well-being of over 18 million wage earners, and helps their employers comply with state labor laws. DIR is housed within the Labor & Workforce Development Agency. For general inquiries, contact DIR's Communications Call Center at 844-LABOR-DIR (844-522-6734) for help in locating the appropriate division or program in our department.

SOURCE Department of Industrial Relations, California Labor Commissioner