State Steps Up Enforcement at Nail Salons

New protections went into effect in nail salons throughout New York on Tuesday.

Gov. Andrew Cuomo signed a bill this summer requiring nail salon owners to buy wage bonds, a kind of insurance policy that guarantees workers get paid for their service.

Specifically, an administration spokesman said the bonds would help in cases where workers have sued their bosses for wage theft, but owners argue they don't have the funds to pay them.

Under the new requirement, owners who don't buy the bonds could face fines or even closure of their businesses. The administration is promising to work with any business owners who have trouble acquiring a bond.

The rule is part of a slew of new protections that followed a New York Times investigation last spring into health, safety and labor abuses at nail salons. As part of that response, Cuomo convened a task force to work on enforcement and outreach. The state also has established a training program for workers and is reviewing the chemicals used at the salons.