143 nail salons ordered to pay $2M in unpaid wages, damages

  • Associated Press
  • Monday, May 9, 2016 1:44pm
  • Business

ALBANY, N.Y. — New York authorities say they have ordered 143 nail salons to pay $2 million in unpaid wages and damages to 652 workers.

A state task force established a year ago said Monday that it has opened investigations into more than 450 businesses, completing 383 so far.

The state enacted reforms following a New York Times expose on underpaid nail salon employees, many of them immigrants. The changes include requiring salons to publicly post notices of workers’ rights to legal wages and a safe environment.

As a state license condition, salons are required to get insurance or bonding to cover business liabilities and unpaid wages. Officials say 4,000 salons statewide have secured a bond.

Owners are also required to provide protective equipment, including masks and gloves.

Regulations have been proposed for public comment.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.