TRENTON – As the summer construction season approaches, the New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development (NJDOL) is highlighting the important role local governments and school boards play in protecting workers and expanding skilled apprenticeship programs through their obligations under the New Jersey Prevailing Wage Act.
To safeguard workers and employers alike from unfair competition due to detrimental wage levels, the New Jersey Prevailing Wage Act (N.J.S.A. 34:11-56.25 et seq.) establishes a prevailing wage for workers engaged in public work, requiring the payment of minimum rates of pay to laborers, craftsmen, and apprentices employed on public works projects. Workers covered under the Act must receive the appropriate craft prevailing wage rate as determined by the Commissioner of Labor and Workforce Development.
“Our duty is to protect workers and employers from being undercut by unfair competition,” said Labor Commissioner Robert Asaro-Angelo. “We have a responsibility to ensure every employer -- especially our partners in the public sector -- are complying with our laws."
Last year, NJDOL and its partners at the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs, and the New Jersey Department of Education sent direct letters to all districts in the state to provide further guidance around the recently updated laws.
Public bodies should be aware of their responsibilities when working with contractors or subcontractors, including:
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