Seattle Seafood Market To Pay Over $74,000 For Violating Labor Laws

Ba Mien Seafood Market in Seattle will pay more than $74,000 in back wages and penalties after settling with the Seattle Office of Labor Standards (OLS) over alleged violations of the city’s Paid Sick and Safe Time (PSST) and Wage Theft Ordinances.

Following an OLS investigation, the company agreed to pay $74,581.92 to 98 employees and $1,383.74 to the City of Seattle. OLS found that Ba Mien Seafood Market failed to provide workers with accrued PSST, written notice of their rights and the employer’s policy, notifications of sick leave balances, and required employment information in writing.

The business, which operates one location in Seattle and employs approximately 50 workers, came under scrutiny after employees reported discrepancies in pay and benefits.

“When I realized that my rights as a worker were being violated, I felt powerless and uncertain that anything would change,” said a Ba Mien employee. “However, in contacting the City of Seattle’s Office of Labor Standards, I found a strong advocate in the OLS which stood up for my coworkers and me by facilitating our employer’s compliance with Seattle’s wage and paid sick time policies. It was empowering to work with local government to rectify this wrong, and I would strongly recommend that anyone who is having their worker’s rights violated contact the Office of Labor Standards.”

Amy Leong of the Asian Pacific American Labor Alliance (APALA), AFL-CIO Seattle Chapter, said the organization worked with OLS to support Ba Mien’s primarily Vietnamese immigrant workforce.

“The Asian Pacific American Labor Alliance, AFl-CIO (APALA) Seattle Chapter was proud to partner with the Office of Labor Standards on this investigation to provide culturally appropriate services to the immigrant Vietnamese workforce. We know how difficult it can be for our communities to come forward and report violations, especially when fear, language barriers, and power dynamics are at play. That’s why it’s important for workers to know their rights and that they are not alone in this fight.”

“As part of the settlement agreement, APALA will be doing workshops on educating workers at Ba Mien Seafood Market. APALA continues to host monthly educational workshops open to all communities to ensure the resources are accessible for all to protect their rights, uphold accountability and strengthen the broader labor movement.”

Steven Marchese, director of OLS, said community collaboration is key to enforcing labor laws effectively.

“When outreach, education and enforcement come together, we uphold workers’ rights and ensure businesses comply with Seattle’s labor laws,” Marchese said. “It can be difficult for workers to come forward with complaints due to work or personal circumstances. That’s why we are committed to work with trusted Community Outreach and Education Fund (COEF) partners like APALA who help overcome language and cultural barriers to make sure workers’ most fundamental rights like access to paid sick and safe time and protections from wage theft are respected.”