Its been called “the silent theft”, the crime nobody talks about, but that could soon change. The U.S. Labor Department says millions of low-wage earning employees in this country are being victimized by employers who make them work very long hours, in sometimes dangerous conditions, and don’t pay them what they’ve earned. Many of these employees don’t speak English well and don’t have many skills, so are vulnerable and desperate for work. The tough economy has increased the problem, especially for those at the bottom of the pay scale.
So Labor Secretary Hilda Solis is launching a new national program to protect workers, (including those here illegally), called “We Can Help”. Its designed for people in industries such as construction, janitorial, hotel/motel and food services. Jobs that are often filled by immigrants.
As part of the new campaign, Solis says 949 field investigators (that includes an additional 250 hired) will be out nationwide to investigate claims against employers. When asked how much all this will cost, Solis didn’t give a number, instead she just said “we’re back to 2001 levels” in terms of the budget. “We (the Department of Labor) were previously criticized under the past administration for a lack of attention in this area” but now “There’s a new sheriff in town” Solis says.
Click here for an explanation of the new program by Labor Secretary Hilda Solis: