Pennylsvania’s E-Verify Law could help address misclass in construction

“The bill requires all private construction employers statewide to run new hires through a federal E-Verify system, an electronic database that checks the legal work-status of new hires by comparing the employees’ information to that of the Social Security Administration and federal immigration officials. More than 20 states have mandated the use of E-Verify in some or all industries.”

https://www.pghcitypaper.com/pittsburgh/whats-really-behind-the-creation-of-pennsylvanias-new-e-verify-law/Content?oid=16127241

“Rampant misclass in construction is making it hard for law-abiding employers to compete.”

Signatory Wall and Ceiling Contractors Alliance (SWACCA) President Matt Townsend testified before the U.S. House of Representatives Education and Labor Committee on the impacts of misclassification in the construction industry on Sept. 26, 2019.

Learn more:

https://www.swacca.org/news-events/swacca-president-testifies-before-house-committee-on-misclassification-in-the-construction-industry/

Washington DC’s Attorney General Releases Report on Payroll Fraud in Construction

“Companies that illegally misclassify employees as independent contractors are stealing from workers, evading taxes, and gaining an unlawful edge over competitors,” said AG Racine. “The Office of the Attorney General commissioned this study to better understand the dynamics of worker misclassification and how we can fight it—and the economic analysis shows just how much this illegal practice costs workers and the community. Indeed, my office has already taken several companies to court to stop this kind of payroll fraud, and we will continue to act to protect workers when businesses violate the District’s labor laws.”

https://oag.dc.gov/release/ag-racine-releases-report-payroll-fraud-district

New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Delaware sign reciprocal agreement to protect workers and employers

“This agreement grants new powers to each state, including strategic data-sharing, interstate case referrals, and joint investigations that will greatly impact wage claim investigations, worker misclassification, workplace safety efforts, and other labor-related compliance matters.”

https://www.nj.gov/labor/lwdhome/press/2019/20190710_tristatealliance.shtml

United Brotherhood of Carpenters: $2.6 B in taxes lost annually

“Construction Industry Tax Rip-Off Estimated at $2.6 Billion – 1.2 Million Construction Workers Paid Off-the Books. To bring more attention to the trouble tax fraud causes in our communities, UBC affiliates in the United States and Canada are planning Days of Action for April 15, when individual tax returns are due in the U.S., and the days leading up to it.”

Read more

Former labor official details how to stop misclassification

Former Obama US Department of Labor official Patricia Smith speaks at the New Jersey Task Force on Employee Misclassification. “Misclassification, by itself, is not illegal,” she said. “What’s illegal is the consequences of misclassification. When you find misclassification, you’re going to have, depending upon what you’re enforcing, a remedy.”

https://www.roi-nj.com/2018/12/06/industry/former-obama-labor-official-details-how-to-stop-misclassification/