Your Tax Dollars At Work
Earlier this year, Gov. Ehrlich proposed to eliminate the state office that enforces wage payment and collection laws. Getting rid of the six staff would have saved less than $350,000. It wasn’t clear how the 1,300 complaints a year filed with this office would get resolved.
An article in today’s Washington Post shows why we need enforcement staff: there are unscrupulous business people who rip off vulnerable workers. In this case, one worker and his pregnant wife were evicted from their home because their employer refused to pay.
Congratulations to Prince George’s County State’s Attorney Glenn Ivey and Assistant State’s Attorney Doyle Neimann who prosecuted the case, Casa de Maryland, and the twelve day laborers who finally will be paid for the work they did two years ago.
An article in today’s Washington Post shows why we need enforcement staff: there are unscrupulous business people who rip off vulnerable workers. In this case, one worker and his pregnant wife were evicted from their home because their employer refused to pay.
Congratulations to Prince George’s County State’s Attorney Glenn Ivey and Assistant State’s Attorney Doyle Neimann who prosecuted the case, Casa de Maryland, and the twelve day laborers who finally will be paid for the work they did two years ago.
5 Comments:
My morning commute takes me past the corner of University Blvd. and New Hampshire Avenue in Langley Park, where hundreds of day laborers gather every morning looking for work. It is a constant reminder of both the dedication to work and the vulnerability of many of our lowest-income neighbors.
Also, in my private life, I am president of the Homeless Persons Representation Project, a nonprofit that provides legal services and advocacy for day laborers and others at risk of homelessness. They have a very good (but long) report on day laborers on their webpage at www.hprplaw.org.
Steve
By MarylandPolicyBlog, at 10:34 AM
Thanks for posting the article. This is a serious problem that is being ignored. Even before Gov. Ehrlich proposed abolishing the office that enforces wage labor standards, the Commissioner was not responsive to taking on the problems of day laborers -- especially immigrant ones. That's what led us to take up the criminal enforcement mechanism.
This is truly new ground, but it has a solid legal foundation. Violations of the various wage labor acts in Maryland are defined as misdemeanors.
In addition, "theft of services" that would otherwise be provided for compensation is also a crime -- a felony if the amount is more than $500.
I understand some of the advocates have been trying to get the Baltimore City State's Attorney to take similar action, but so far she has resisted. That's unfortunate as there is now no practical alternative in many cases.
I would note that we did include language in the budget this year that should force the governor to continue to support the enforcement office in the Department of Labor. We couldn't redirect the money, but I believe we cordoned off some that could only be used for that purpose.
The Abell Foundation also did a newsletter recently on day workers -- both immigrant and native born that had some horrific data.
By Del. Doyle Niemann, at 9:38 PM
Here is a link to the Abell Foundation Newsletter mentioned by Del. Neimann.
The newsletter article is based on a longer report that is available from the Homeless Persons Representation Project.
Steve Hill
shill@mdnonprofit.org
By MarylandPolicyBlog, at 10:39 AM
Is it not important to be AMERICAN anymore?
Are we forgetting our AMERICAN workers?
Are we ignoring the fact that that the influx of immigrant workers is flooding the labor morket thereby driving down the wages in this country?
When does the "American" get a fair shake?
We struggle harder and harder, year by year to make ends meet for our families. Why? Because we find it necessary to support the world.
Help yourself before you help your neighbor!!!!!
Afterall,it's easier to give help when you're on stable ground!
signed: Exasperated Construction Worker!!!
By Darryl K., at 11:45 PM
When does the AMERICAN get a fair shake?
I, as a construction worker,find it harder and harder year by year to make ends meet for my family!!
Why, you ask? Because of the influx of immigrant workers!
I'm sure you'd like to know how the influx of immigrant workers affects my way of life.
It's a simple case of supply and demand. Immigrant workers flood the Labor market thereby, driving down the demand for labor and thus, driving down wages!
So, again I ask, When does the AMERICAN worker get a fair shake?
By Darryl K., at 11:50 PM
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