Immigrant Restaurant Workers Awarded Back Pay
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Dozens of immigrant workers celebrated their court victory over a Manhattan restaurant chain Wednesday.
A judge awarded 36 workers from Saigon Grill $4.6 million in back pay and taxes.
They said they were working seven-day weeks and 12 hours per day, while earning as little as $1.60 per hour.
When they complained, they said their boss demanded they sign a contract claiming they received minimum wage and worked fair hours.
"I feel very happy because justice has finally been served and because we've been telling the truth all the time and the boss has been lying that's why this justice came at the right time," said plaintiff Ke Yu Guan through a translator.
A lawyer for the workers said the victory will make sure other restaurants in the city pay their workers minimum wage.
The owners of Saigon Grill did comment to NY1 Wednesday.