Low Wage Workers Are Routinely Denied Overtime Pay

Low-wage workers are often denied overtime pay and are often paid less than the minimum wage, according to a new study based on a survey of workers in New York, Los Angeles and Chicago. The study also found that 68 percent of the workers interviewed had experienced at least one pay-related violation in the previous work week. In surveying 4,387 workers in various low-wage industries, including apparel manufacturing, child care and discount retailing, the researchers found that the typical worker had lost $51 the previous week through wage violations, out of average weekly earnings of $339. That translates into a 15 percent loss in pay.