The State Division of Labor Standards Enforcement has issued 47 citations totaling $356,200 in fines in Los Angeles and Orange counties in its latest crackdown on area car washes.

In a recent two-day enforcement sweep, investigators visited 64 carwashes in Los Angeles County and eight in Orange County. Twenty four businesses were cited for not having the required registration and 19 businesses failed to have workers’ compensation insurance. In addition three businesses were found to be employing minors without the proper work permits, and one business failed to provide itemized deductions to their employees, according to state investigators.

“Our efforts are directed at illegally operating carwash businesses as part of the underground economy,” said California Labor Commissioner Angela Bradstreet in a statement late Monday. “These illegal operations have a negative impact on our state’s economy, do not provide the protection workers are legally afforded, and have an unfair advantage over competitors who do follow the law.”

Representatives for the Western Carwash Association in Paramount could not be reached for comment, but in the past have said the association supports efforts to crack down on violators of labor and health and safety laws.

The Los Angeles County Federation of Labor and a coalition of community, religious, environmental and immigrant rights organizations in March announced a campaign to organize thousands of workers at local car washes.