Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen have dismissed claims their interns were forced to work 50 hour weeks without pay as “groundless” after a lawsuit was launched against their fashion business.
Lead plaintiff Shahista Lalani and 39 other former and current interns are suing their company, Dualstar Entertainment Group, for not paying a minimum wage. The suit claims they were performing similar tasks to their paid colleagues at the twins’ luxury clothing brand The Row, in New York, as well as being made to perform menial tasks, such as organising buttons.
Lelani claimed she was hospitalised due to dehydration during her time there and would often work until 10pm in the evening.
A representative for Dulstar responded to the suit on Wednesday.
“As an initial matter, Dualstar is an organisation that is committed to treating all individuals fairly and in accordance with all applicable laws,” the company said in a statement.
“The allegations in the complaint filed against Dualstar are groundless, and Dualstar will vigorously defend itself against plaintiff's claims in court, not before the media. Dualstar is confident that once the true facts of this case are revealed, the lawsuit will be dismissed in its entirety."
