Garment Industry

Re “Garment Gumshoes,” July 13: Two additional points need to be mentioned.

First, article did not note that the labor commissioner’s effort is two-pronged: both enforcement and education. We have made, and will continue to make, a dedicated effort to inform garment manufacturers of labor law requirements. Our education efforts, coupled with enforcement, have led to improvements in work conditions.

Second, it is not correct, as the article states, that “state investigators choose to look the other way in enforcing immigration laws.” In fact, the labor commissioner has no legal authority to cite for violations of immigration laws. With the Immigration Reform Control Act of 1986, that responsibility rests solely with the federal government, which has not demonstrated an eagerness to investigate such complaints. We are, however, in the process of negotiating an agreement with the INS to coordinate our activities.

JOHN DUNCAN

Chief Deputy Director

Department of Industrial Relations

San Francisco