Senate Labor Committee hears hours of testimony as critics warn S4047 would strip temp workers of benefits

The New Jersey Senate Labor Committee held a discussion-only hearing on S4047, proposed changes to the 2023 Temporary Workers' Bill of Rights. Supporters from the staffing industry said the measure would fix administrative burdens and permit New Jersey firms to compete with out-of-state agencies; opponents warned it would "gut" hard-won protections and strip temporary workers of equal benefits.

Senator Kryon opened public remarks arguing the core of the dispute centers on Section 4, which he read aloud: "Any temporary laborer assigned to work at a party client in a designated classification placement shall not be paid less than the hourly rate of pay at a party client location, which shall be defined as the party's client entry level pay." Kryon said the amendment contains "no mention of benefits, which means they're eliminated." He told the committee he supported equal pay and equal benefits for equal work and urged members to "stand together" to protect workers.

Labor advocates and community organizations then offered testimony opposing the bill. Hazel Applewhite, CEO of Ironbound Community Corporation, said the bill would "weaken[] the equal pay provision" and "eliminat[e] equal benefits…