Comptroller Sean Scanlon Urges Legislature To Protect Employees From “Wage Theft” On State-Funded Contracts
(HARTFORD, CT) – Comptroller Sean Scanlon today was joined by labor representatives and legislative colleagues in support of “An Act Authorizing the Comptroller to Withhold Payment for Violations of the Prevailing Wage Statutes,” a bill designed to improve accountability among contractors and protect workers on state-funded projects.
After falling short of final passage in the House last year, Comptroller Scanlon has continued working with the Connecticut State Building Trades and the Connecticut Laborers’ District Council on this legislation to address state contractors withholding funds allocated for labor wages.
Under the bill, the Comptroller would be notified by the Department of Labor when a state contractor is under investigation for wage law violations. At the Comptroller’s discretion, state payments to the project could be halted 10 business days after a notice is received until the investigation is completed and any penalties or settlements are finalized.
“Connecticut workers deserve to be paid fairly and treated with dignity,” said Comptroller Scanlon. “If a state contractor is short-changing workers, we shouldn’t be sending taxpayer dollars to those projects. I strongly urge the legislature to pass this bill to stop payments until any issue is investigated and resolved to ensure fair labor practices are followed and public funds are protected.”
“What’s clear is that if a contractor hires a subcontractor, and that subcontractor is not abiding by all the state’s labor laws, that contractor should be held responsible for the actions of their employee,” said Senator Julie Kushner, Senate Chair of Labor and Public Employees Committee. “When we pass this bill, it should have the effect of forcing contractors to be much more thorough in vetting and ensuring that the subcontractors they hire have a good track record of complying with state labor laws.”
“I continue to stand by Comptroller Scanlon and his push for holding businesses accountable regarding wage theft,” said Representative Manny Sanchez, House Chair of the Labor and Public Employees Committee. “I am in full support of any legislation that protects workers who are earning honestly for their families. So, let’s ensure wage theft crime can’t interfere with that process.”
“The Building Trades applauds Comptroller Scanlon for continuing to lead on this critical issue,” said Keith Brothers, President of the Connecticut State Building Trades Council. “By strengthening coordination and enforcement, this bill makes clear that Connecticut will ensure that wage laws are respected and that bad actors who exploit workers face real consequences. We look forward to working with lawmakers to advance this important measure.”
“Too often, wage theft is treated as just another cost of doing business,” said Joe Toner, Executive Director of the Connecticut State Building Trades Council. “Responsible, law-abiding contractors should not have to compete against employers who cheat their workers and undercut the law. Taxpayers shouldn’t be footing the bill for that behavior either. This legislation strengthens our ability to deter future violations and ensures public funds are only supporting companies that play by the rules.”
Comptroller Scanlon has submitted testimony in support of this legislation and looks forward to working with the Labor Committee, the Connecticut Department of Labor, and the entire General Assembly, to ensure passage.
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