US Department of Labor recovers $132K in wages, damages for 72 wholesale tortilla manufacturing workers in Los Angeles County

Employer: La Flor de Mexico Inc.

Investigation site: 5121 Commerce Drive

Baldwin Park, CA 91706

Investigation findings: AU.S. Department of Labor Wage and Hour Divisioninvestigation found the wholesale tortilla manufacturer in Los Angeles County failed to pay minimum wage to 72 employees for all hours worked and overtime premium rates for hours over 40 in a workweek, in violation of the Fair Labor Standards Act. Investigators also discovered a joint employment relationship between La Flor de Mexico and Employee Force Provider, a staffing agency the manufacturer used to hire most of its workers and co-manage the day-to-day operation of the tortilla manufacturing business.

Wages, Damages Recovered:$66,253 in back wages for 72 workers

$66,253 in liquidated damages for 72 workers

Quote: "The U.S. Department of Labor will always be vigilant to ensure all employers comply with the Fair Labor Standards Act," said Wage and Hour Division Assistant District Director Skarleth Kozlo in West Covina, California. "Workers must be paid correctly and on time for their work."

Background: The Wage and Hour Division learned about this case thanks to a news segmentby television reporter Cecilia Bográn that aired at Univision Los Angeleson May 20, 2024. La Flor de Mexico Inc. is a manufacturer and supplier of wheat, corn, oat and multigrain tortillas, as well as lavash and flatbread.

Workers can use the division's Workers Owed Wages search tool to see if they are owed back wages collected by the division. Employers and workers can contact the Wage and Hour Division for assistance at its toll-free number, 1-866-4-US-WAGE. Workers and employers alike can help ensure hours worked and pay are accurate by downloading the department's Android and iOS Timesheet App for free in English or Spanish.

This news release is also available in Spanish.