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Labor groups, AG’s office and contractors press for stronger wage‑theft enforcement
Summary
Union leaders, worker advocates and the Attorney General’s Fair Labor Division urged the Joint Committee on Labor and Workforce Development on Oct. 28 to report favorably on H.2094 / S.1300, legislation they say would give the state stronger tools to combat pervasive wage theft.
Union leaders, community advocates and the Attorney General’s Fair Labor Division told the committee Oct. 28 they support H.2094 / S.1300, a package of reforms aimed at reducing wage theft and improving enforcement. Proponents described multiple enforcement gaps — including off‑the‑books pay, labor brokers who supply workers to subcontractors, and misclassification — and urged the legislature to give state enforcement agencies stronger tools.
Lauren Goldman Moran, chief of the AG’s Fair Labor Division, described prior enforcement results and told the committee that strengthening the state’s tools is needed as arbitration agreements and class waivers limit private‑action recoveries. She said expanding civil‑court authority for the AG and providing clearer pathways for whistleblowers would help workers recover wages and assist the state in recouping lost taxes and contributions to unemployment and workers’ comp funds.
Speakers from building trades, the North Atlantic States Carpenters, the Carpenters’ union and Greater Boston Legal Services described common patterns: contractors paying workers in cash through labor brokers, fake certified payrolls, intimidation of workers and contractors who can be "judgment proof" or go out of business before workers collect unpaid wages. Witnesses said these practices create a competitive advantage for law‑breaking firms and depress wages for honest contractors.
Sponsors and labor advocates asked the committee to include lead‑contractor responsibility provisions that allow parties higher in the contracting chain to be held accountable when subcontractors fail to pay. Supporters pointed to similar laws in other states and urged a favorable report. Industry representatives raised concerns about enforcement complexity and urged careful statutory drafting to avoid unintended consequences. The Attorney General’s office offered technical assistance.
No committee vote occurred during the hearing.
