DiMaio bill protecting workers’ wages clears committee

TRENTON, N.J. – Assemblyman John DiMaio’s bill cracking down on employers who don’t pay workers what they have earned unanimously passed the Assembly Labor Committee today. The bill (A1852) increases the penalties for violating the state wage and hour law, raising fines and possible jail time.

“Stealing money is stealing money, and it is especially offensive when a worker is being ripped off by the boss,” said DiMaio (R-Warren). “The law is there to assure a day’s pay for a day’s work. Withholding money earned by workers will not be tolerated.”

The wage and hour law sets a minimum wage and requires time-and-a-half for hours worked above 40 per week for all covered workers in the state.

DiMaio’s bill increases the fine for a first offense to $500 from $100, and for the second offense to $1,000 from $500. The bill also makes subsequent violations a fourth degree crime, with fines of $2,000 to $10,000 and up to 18 months in prison.

Currently, a first or second violation of the law is a disorderly persons offense.