
The state of New Jersey is increasing its efforts to find employers who hire workers as independent contractors, instead of regular employees, to get around state labor laws, radio station KYW reports. The effort is to ensure that laborers from working-class families have sufficient pay for feeding their family, providing for their children, and saving for retirement.
A check of 1% of the state shows a $462 million shortage in salary and benefits paid out to over 12,000 so-called independents. That covers not just construction, but everything from home health care to delivery workers.
Governor Phil Murphy added a warning to those who may be trying to get around state law.
“If you are a contractor engaging in these practices, we are either going to bring you into compliance or we’re going to put you out of business,” the governor said.
Enforcement is being enhanced, with double the number of agents in the field and an assistant labor commissioner specifically assigned to monitor wage and benefit compliance.
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