FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
IR #2006-09
March 15, 2006
CONTACT:
San Francisco- The Department of Industrial Relations (DIR) confirmed
today that representatives for Michael Jackson are processing the payroll for
the back-pay owed to his employees. Jackson's representatives will distribute
payroll directly to the employees tomorrow, March 16. "There is no need to take legal action in this matter at this time as
our main concern that all employees receive wages owed to them is being addressed,"
said Robert Jones, acting California labor commissioner. "As directed in
a letter on March 7 demanding payment of wages, arrangements have been made
to ensure that all employees are paid wages owed them," added Jones. "The total amount in back-wages paid will be known when the payroll process
is completed and we have verified Jackson's records. DIR will then calculate
the total amount in penalties and act to ensure they are paid. Verified back-wage
and penalty amounts should be available early next week," said Jones. The representatives of Mr. Jackson also indicated they were in the process
of obtaining workers' compensation insurance. DIR investigators recently visited
Neverland Ranch and verified that no one working at the ranch was an employee
of Michael Jackson. The security is being handled by members of the Jackson
family and a local veterinarian has put the animal caregivers on his payroll.
"In addition to the wage related penalties, we will be calculating and
collecting the exact amount due the state for Mr. Jackson's failure to have
required workers' compensation insurance coverage for his employees", added
Jones. For more information on wage claims or any other California Labor Law, please
visit the DIR Web site at www.dir.ca.gov. ###
Dean Fryer
Renée Bacchini
(415) 703-5050