Roberto Jacobo is an immigrant who estimates he lost $90,000 in income over 15 years as a home remodeler because his employers did not pay him his owed overtime or prevailing wage on jobs.
For years he stayed quiet, afraid his employers would retaliate because he is an immigrant. Then he decided enough is enough and started to speak up for himself and others. He sued one employer and won his case last year, earning back wages and punitive damages.
"Most people say nothing. They are scared," Jacobo said.
Jacobo's case and others have reignited the fight against wage theft in Minnesota, with more enforcement this year on the local and state level and the Legislature considering tougher state laws.
In Minnesota's construction industry alone, wage theft hurts 1 in 5 workers, costing state taxpayers $136 million annually, according to the Economic Policy Institute's Midwest research arm.
Statewide, officials from the Department of Labor and Industry report receiving 600 to 1,300 complaints a year and recovering as much as $2.7 million in back wages and penalties for workers.
Minnesota’s wage theft law took effect in 2019, once the pandemic hit, state investigations and claims plummeted. Agencies expect activity against wage theft picked up again this year. Officials report receiving 600 to 1,300 complaints a year and recovering as much as $2.7 million in back wages and penalties for workers.
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