California Money

Chinatown Wage Violations

September 17, 2010 -- 3:57 PM

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Restaurant workers in San Francisco's Chinatown are frequently paid less than minimum wage, according to a study released by local activist group, Chinese Progressive Association.

More than half of the 400 restaurant workers interviewed said that they were paid below San Francisco's minimum wage of $9.79 an hour.

Restaurant worker Zhen Li said her job involves 10-hour-days behind a hot fryer. For all of that work, Li says she earns about $1,000 a month.

The survey was jointly conducted by researchers from the University of California, Berkeley, UC San Francisco, UC Berkeley's Labor Occupational Health Program, and the San Francisco Department of Public Health.

Pam Tau Lee, research director at UC Berkeley's School of Public Health, says that it's hard to break through the culture of fear that exists among low-wage workers. She believes that the survey paints a more accurate picture of the conditions in Chinatowns nationwide.

"I think we've got a pretty good reflection of what the real story is, and I think there's still under-reporting," Lee said.

Read the full report on restaurant workers' wages (PDF)