"Hot Goods" law: New York State enacted 1996 legislation that prohibits the sale or distribution of clothing produced in sweatshops. In addition, authorities can stop the sale and/or distribution of apparel produced in any shop that cheats workers of their wages or pays less than the minimum wage. Garments produced without proper payment of wages may be tagged as "unlawfully manufactured" by Task Force investigators.

Wage payments: A manual worker must be paid weekly, and not later than seven calendar days after the end of the week in which the wages are earned. With each wage payment, an employee must be given a written statement showing wages earned, deductions, hours worked and the pay rate. If the labor performed is piecework, the wage statement must show the number of pieces completed and hours worked. If the time needed to complete work at a piece rate drops the wages below the hourly minimum, the contractor must pay the minimum wage.

Wage deductions: An example of an illegal deduction is the common practice of sweatshops taking a percentage of an employee's wages when payments are made in cash. Employers are not allowed to make wage deductions except those authorized under state and federal law (examples: federal and state income tax, social security). Additional deductions may be made when an employee grants permission in writing for specific purposes (examples: insurance premiums, pension or health benefits, charitable contributions, United States savings bonds).

Overtime: After working 40 hours, employees must be paid overtime at one and one-half times their hourly pay rate. Pieceworkers must be paid one and one-half times their average rate after working 40 hours.

Child labor: Children under the age of 16 cannot work in factories. Working papers must be kept on the shop premises. Hours of work must be posted for all minors under 18 years of age.

Safety: Factories must comply with state and federal occupational safety and health laws and fire codes. Fire exits must be unlocked and accessible during working hours.

Registration: All manufacturers and contractors that produce apparel must be registered with the New York State Department of Labor. A registration certificate must be posted where employees can see it.

Industrial homework: Nothing may be taken out of the factory to be worked on in the home. No work may be distributed directly to home workers.

Fire hazards: Perhaps there might be only one exit. Fire exits might be blocked or locked. Fire extinguishers are not mounted on the walls or are missing from the mounting. There are no fire exit signs. Electrical exit signs are not lighted.

Electrical hazards: Wires are exposed. Protective covers are missing. Many extension cords are in use. Wires are frayed, unconnected or dangling.

Safety hazards: Machines and fans lack safety guards. Belts and pulleys are exposed. Steam pipes are not insulated. Aisles are less than 36 inches wide. Trash, clothing or other obstacles block aisles and doors. Stairs do not have handrails.

Health hazards: Ventilation is poor (heavy dust deposits may mean inadequate ventilation). If employees have hand rashes, the shop might be using toxic dyes. Restrooms are dirty. Lighting is poor.

Structural dangers: Elevators work with doors open. There are holes in the factory's floors or ceilings. There is excessive play in floors. A basement shop does not have a certificate of occupancy posted.

Wage violations: Employees are not paid on time. Workers do not receive wage statements with their pay. There are no overtime rates for piecework. Paydays are missed or there is no regular payday. There are more employees than timecards. The time clock is broken or not used. Payments for weekend or overtime work are made separately in cash. Hours on the job are not recorded for pieceworkers.

Child labor: Hours are not posted for children under 18. Children under 16 are working in the shop. A young employee responds with contradictory dates of birth when questioned about age. Children are seen outside the factory. A large increase in piecework production indicates that children may be helping their parents.

Industrial homework: The shop's production seems to be greater than its capacity. Employees are seen carrying large packages or bags into and out of the factory. Daily production rates vary. Parts of clothing (examples: cuffs, collars) might be missing. Inventory is missing.

Registration violations: A State Labor Department registration certificate is not displayed. The wrong employer's name is on the certificate.

Tax irregularities: A company's identity changes frequently without a change in officers. The shop does not use a journal or daybook. The company has no bank account. The shop uses an individual who cashes checks instead of a bank. Deliveries to the shop have different names in the address.