Rep. Shekarchi and Sen. Nesselbush’s wage theft legislation signed into law

STATE HOUSE –Sen. Donna M. Nesselbush and Rep. K. Joseph Shekarchi’s legislation (2016-S 2475 / 2016-H 7628) that gives employees several ways to collect wages due from nonpaying employers and increases the penalties for offending employers was signed into law today by Governor Raimondo at a ceremonial bill signing held at the Algonquin House in Providence.

“Workers are the engine and backbone of our economy, our families and our society.  We need to treat them well which means we must rout out wage theft wherever we see it, wherever we find it,” said Senator Nesselbush (D-Dist. 15, Pawtucket, North Providence).  “Too often, workers are abused in the shadows of industry for the greed and aggrandizement of unscrupulous employers and owners.  This legislation will give employees sharp tools to fight back against such practices and collect what they are owed.”

“Unfortunately, low wage employees are too often taken advantage of and deprived of their hard earned wages, but, with this legislation, such practices will become a thing of the past,” said Representative Shekarchi (D-Dist. 23, Warwick).  “A hard day’s work rightfully comes with a hard earned paycheck.  That’s the way it should be and with this legislation, that’s the way it will always be from now on.”

The legislation sets penalties for nonpayment of wages by an employer and implements procedures for aggrieved employees to file claims for unpaid wages against nonpaying employers.

Source: http://www.rilin.state.ri.us/pressrelease/_layouts/RIL.PressRelease.ListStructure/Forms/DisplayForm.aspx?List=c8baae31-3c10-431c-8dcd-9dbbe21ce3e9&ID=12148&Web=2bab1515-0dcc-4176-a2f8-8d4beebdf488