Labor Department watching for wage violations in landscaping industry

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.nebraska.tv/Global/story.asp?S=8377337&nav=menu605_2

Associated Press - May 25, 2008 1:55 PM ET

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) - The U.S. Department of Labor says it will be keeping an extra-close eye on landscaping and lawn care companies to make sure they are following federal wage laws.

Labor Department district director Percella Maupins says federal investigators have found significant payroll violations at several landscaping companies. Apparently, many of the company executives think they don't have to pay overtime because they are engaged in seasonal or agricultural businesses.

Maupins also says investigators will ensure that companies don't cheat when classifying workers as independent contractors or employees.

[nichomachus]

1. Red herring

More reason to beat up on "illegal" immigrants.

They should be looking in to wage violations at WalMart and a host of other industries where employees are forced to work off the clock.

I'm suspicious when the Labor Dept. does anything that smacks of helping workers, because they haven't done that for close to 15 years.