New Jersey employers accused of wage theft
New Jersey employers are taking advantage of day laborers by failing to properly live up to payroll responsibilities, according to a new study from the Center for Social Justice at Seton Hall University. The department's study revealed that approximately half of the day laborers in the Garden State did not receive proper compensation for services provided.
Students from the center interviewed 100 day laborers from seven pickup sites throughout the state. The results indicated that roughly 25 percent had been assaulted by employers or seriously injured on the job. Additionally, about 50 percent said they were denied proper compensation and 94 percent said they did not receive appropriate overtime pay.
"The fact is, your undocumented status doesn't mean that you surrender your humanity, or become a target for whatever people throw your way," Seton Hall professor and study co-author Bryan Lonegan told the New Jersey Star-Ledger.
Lonegan told the Star-Ledger that wage theft is against the law, even if employees have entered the country illegally. However, the study noted that in many cases workers are too afraid to report their employers' practices. Only 14 percent of respondents said they contacted the police regarding wage theft.
Students from the center interviewed 100 day laborers from seven pickup sites throughout the state. The results indicated that roughly 25 percent had been assaulted by employers or seriously injured on the job. Additionally, about 50 percent said they were denied proper compensation and 94 percent said they did not receive appropriate overtime pay.
"The fact is, your undocumented status doesn't mean that you surrender your humanity, or become a target for whatever people throw your way," Seton Hall professor and study co-author Bryan Lonegan told the New Jersey Star-Ledger.
Lonegan told the Star-Ledger that wage theft is against the law, even if employees have entered the country illegally. However, the study noted that in many cases workers are too afraid to report their employers' practices. Only 14 percent of respondents said they contacted the police regarding wage theft.
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