A state judge has dismissed a lawsuit by trade associations challenging New York's requirement that nail salons post bonds to protect worker wages.
The ruling by Justice Michael Melkonian upholds regulations first issued in May and followed by state law in July.
They are intended to protect some 40,000 workers, many female immigrants, from being shorted on pay.
Melkonian says authorities found abuses in the industry and New York has a legitimate interest in protecting workers.
The Korean American Nail Salon Association of New York and the Chinese Nail Salon Association of East America sued.
They say the regulations are unjust, jeopardize thousands of small businesses and workers' livelihoods and they'll continue to seek "a just solution" that protects them.
© 2015 AP
