Forever 21 is one of several companies that have been supplied by independent Southern California factories that pay workers much less than the state minimum wage, the Labor Department announced Wednesday. Workers were paid as little as $4 an hour, and they got $7 an hour on average — $3 less than the state minimum wage, according to the Labor Department. “This business model has shielded them from any legal responsibility,” said Ruben Rosalez, a regional administrator with the Labor Department. “Ross Stores takes labor issues very seriously, and we require our suppliers to uphold our ethical standards,” Wong said. In an email, a Forever 21 spokeswoman confirmed the company met with the Labor Department and said it is cooperating with the agency.

Source: Los Angeles Times November 16, 2016 19:01 UTC