Problem

Every year, millions of dollars intended for working families and our economy are lost due to companies failing to pay workers their rightful wages. This issue hits hardest on immigrant workers, who already face significant barriers to economic security. When they are denied fair compensation for their labor, it exacerbates income inequality and perpetuates systemic racism. Misclassification further compounds this injustice, as independent contractors are denied basic rights such as secure pay, benefits, overtime pay, and safe working conditions. This exploitation not only harms workers but also deprives the economy of vital tax revenue.

Solution

By cracking down on wage theft and misclassification, we can ensure that all workers, regardless of their immigration status or background, receive fair treatment and compensation. This not only upholds our values of equity and justice but also strengthens our economy by putting money back into the hands of working families and taxpayers. It's time to take decisive action to protect immigrant workers and combat racism in our workplaces.

Local

We must spotlight successful campaigns like those of WJW and VDLF, and push for robust local enforcement targeting high-violation industries. Any other locations of enforcement work though private or public channels.

State

The DWD Wage and Hour division must intensify its focus on industries notorious for violations, collaborating closely with worker and immigrant advocates; proactively pursue specific industries and locations. Create statewide campaigns to support workers' understanding of existing rights.