By Nathan Duke
The first bill will allow the city Department of Labor's Apparel Industry Task Force to seize goods they find in sweatshops and require manufacturers or businesses to pay a surety bond based on their past record of violations, Maltese said. The bill will also impose administrative penalties up to $250 for a first violation and up to $500 for any further violations.The second bill will prevent public universities and community colleges from licensing their trademarks for use on unlawfully manufactured clothing, the senator said.Maltese lost two aunts and his grandmothers to the 1911 Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire at 23-29 Washington Place at the northern corner of Washington Square East. The fire has become a catalyst for a number of safety-related labor laws.He said the two Senate-approved anti-sweatshop bills will help crack down on a growing city problem.”There has been an explosion of illegal sweatshops throughout New York City and its surrounding communities,” he said. “This is a threat to the health and safety of the workers because these places invariably violate fire and other safety codes. They also often use underage or illegal workers and even may be using victims of human trafficking – holding them as virtual slaves.”Reach reporter Nathan Duke by email at news@timesledger.com or by phone at 718-229-0300, Ext. 156.
