Vulnerable workers, including immigrants who don’t know their rights or are fearful of employer retaliation, could gain stronger protections against pervasive wage theft under the legislation, but it has failed to win support from Democrats on Beacon Hill for years.
Attorney General Maura Healey’s Office has cited over 200 construction firms for wage theft violations in fiscal year 2019, making the industry the largest recipient of citations by percentage.
A group of 11 House lawmakers testified together before the Labor and Workforce Development Committee Tuesday in support of a bill intended to discourage and penalize wage theft despite the death of similar bills in previous legislative sessions.
Massachusetts construction contractors could get greater scrutiny if a union-backed budget amendment from a Boston state legislator is adopted.
The state Attorney General’s Office issued 165 civil citations against 66 construction companies in wage theft and other cases in 2018, with fines totaling $1.23 million. Restitution exceeded $1.47 million for more than 1,030 employees of the various employers.
