CHEAPSKATES

Musk to Investigate Reports of Underpaid Tesla Workers

Subcontracted Eastern European laborers in California.

After a “damning” report alleged Tesla underpaid laborers from Eastern Europe at the company’s high-tech paint shop in Northern California, Elon Musk says he’ll launch an investigation into the matter. The subcontracted workers were paid only $5 per hour, The Mercury News reports. The laborers helped produce the Model 3 sedan, which garnered nearly $10 billion in pre-orders just two days after it was unveiled. They were allegedly hired by a German manufacturer and subcontractor. Sheet-metal workers in the same area usually make about $52 per hour in addition to an additional $42 per hour in pensions and benefits, according to reports. Musk wrote in response: “Only heard about this today. Sounds like the wrong thing happened on many levels. Will investigate and make it right.”