TRENTON, NJ – Governor Murphy’s expansion of the New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development’s powers in 2019 has yielded significant results.
Over the past four years, more than 110 stop-work orders have been issued, resulting in the assessment of over $2.7 million in back wages, liquidated damages, and penalties for exploited workers. In 2021, Governor Murphy further enhanced these powers by extending the application of stop-work orders to all work sites of employers found in violation of the law.
Governor Murphy emphasized his commitment to protecting the rights of New Jersey workers, who play a crucial role in the state’s economy. Labor Commissioner Robert Asaro-Angelo praised the authority to halt work immediately upon identifying wrongdoing, stating that it has greatly strengthened the department’s ability to enforce wage and hour laws and safeguard workers and law-abiding employers. The department aims not only to stop ongoing violations but also to educate employers and prevent future issues from arising.
The Division of Wage and Hour and Contract Compliance, under the NJDOL, possesses the authority to halt work at any public or private worksite, be it construction or non-construction, when evidence of employer violations of state wage, benefit, or tax laws is found.
Violations include misclassification of employees, absence of proper workers’ compensation insurance, failure to pay prevailing wage or overtime, and improper payment practices.
Bill Mullen, the president of the New Jersey Building and Construction Trades Council, commended the New Jersey Department of Labor for utilizing stop-work orders as a powerful weapon against unscrupulous contractors in the construction industry. These orders are crucial in protecting construction workers from exploitation and ensuring they receive the wages and benefits they have rightfully earned. Mullen called for more leaders in Trenton to take firm stands against worker abuses and uphold the law.