Commissioner Diaz gets tough on wage theft

MIAMI-DADE COUNTY – The Miami-Dade County Commission gave initial approval on June 20 to an ordinance sponsored by Commissioner Jose “Pepe” Diaz to toughen penalties on employers engaging in wage theft and help victims take advantage of the resources available to them.

The ordinance increases the fine for repeat offenders by up to 60 percent for a fourth offense, and bars companies that engage in wage theft from doing business with the County.

“A fair day’s wage for a day’s work is a fundamental human right, and we need to get tough on employers who deny their employees the pay they have earned,” said Commissioner Diaz, who sponsored an ordinance on March 7 amending the County’s wage theft ordinance to allow victims to recover attorney fees when going after deadbeat employers. This ordinance is set for a public hearing before committee in July.