LABOR

U.S. Collects Nearly $1 Million for Garment Workers: The Labor Department recovered $997,214 during the government’s 1995 fiscal year in back wages for illegally underpaid workers in garment manufacturing shops in the Los Angeles-Orange County area. During the two previous years, authorities collected slightly more than $1 million for garment workers denied minimum wages or overtime pay. Rolene Otero, the Los Angeles director of enforcement for the department, said apparel manufacturers have begun to better monitor their contractors’ labor practices. In addition, the department has filed suit for more than $5 million in back wages involving 72 Thai workers who worked in what is alleged to be near-slavery conditions in an El Monte garment shop.