Suit Alleges Wage Violations by Donna Karan

Donna Karan International Inc. was sued by a group representing immigrant Chinese garment workers who claim the upscale fashion house demands that they toil long hours in midtown Manhattan factories for little or no overtime pay. The suit by the Asian American Legal Defense Fund seeks class-action status on behalf of 300 garment workers. It seeks to recover unpaid wages dating from 1992 to the present and an order requiring New York-based Donna Karan to pay the minimum wage. A spokeswoman for Donna Karan said the company had not seen the suit and could not comment. She added, however, that Donna Karan in general is “extremely concerned about the working conditions of employees,” including those working for the independent contractors that manufacture its garments. Donna Karan requires contractors to comply with workplace standards set by the company, she said. Donna Karan International was one of five firms to settle claims in October that thousands of garment workers had been forced to endure sweatshop conditions in the U.S. territory of Saipan. Other firms included Polo Ralph Lauren Corp. and Phillips-Van Heusen Corp. Donna Karan shares closed off 38 cents at $6.56 on the New York Stock Exchange.