Honoring Former El Monte Sweatshop Captives: From Slavery to Recognition
Immigrant workers who were held captive in an El Monte sweatshop complex in 1995 were honored by the U.S. Labor Department and inducted into the Labor Hall of Honor. The workers, who were subjected to modern-day slavery, lived in deplorable conditions and were not immediately freed after a federal raid due to their undocumented status. Their ordeal led to efforts to combat wage theft and human trafficking, and they eventually secured a $4 million settlement. The workers' fight for justice continues to inspire advocacy for better working conditions and protections in the garment industry.