5 East San Jose Metro by T-Mobile stores accused of exploiting child workers

(KRON) -- A civil enforcement action has been filed by the Santa Clara County Counsel’s Office against the owners and operators of five Metro by T-Mobile retail stores in East San Jose for allegedly exploiting more than 60 employees, including minors.

The lawsuit filed on Wednesday by the SCC Counsel's Office accuses the Metro by T-Mobile stores of multiple workers’ rights violations, "including blatant violations of minimum wage and overtime laws, failure to provide employees with meal and rest breaks, employing minors without required permits, and requiring minors to work extended shifts."

The Counsel’s Office said it has requested that the court order the defendants to pay their employees back wages, other damages and civil penalties.

"For years, the owners hired and then exploited workers in the underserved community of East San Jose by paying their employees less than the minimum wage, directing workers to work long shifts without paying overtime, depriving their employees of meal and rest breaks, paying their employees in cash under the table without wage statements, and employing minors as young as 14 without required permits and for long hours that state law strictly prohibits," said the Santa Clara County Counsel’s Office.

The lawsuit is part of Santa Clara County's ongoing effort to target enforcement of workers’ rights laws.

“We are taking enforcement action to make sure that businesses that steal wages and abuse workers pay a steep price,” said Santa Clara County Counsel Tony LoPresti in a news release. “The owners of these stores consistently cheat their employees to line their own pockets. It’s bad for the workers, it’s unfair to competitors, and it often leads to the County and taxpayers footing the bill to provide safety net services to support workers who suffer these abuses.   This lawsuit signals a ramp-up in our efforts to hold low-road businesses accountable in Santa Clara County.” 

KRON4 reached out to Metro by T-Mobile but did not hear back in time for this report.

Anyone who has questions about wage theft or believes they may be a victim of wage theft is encouraged to call the free Advice Line at 1-866-870-7725.