Commissioner Diaz’s wage theft ordinance advances

MIAMI-DADE COUNTY – 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 passed 5-0 at the Miami-Dade County Commission’s Government Operations Committee meeting on July 11.

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.

“There is no room for wage theft in our community. We are closing the doors on wage theft and sending a strong message that this is a thing of the past in our community,” said Commissioner Diaz, who also sponsored another ordinance on March 7 amending the County’s wage theft ordinance to allow victims to recover attorney fees when going after deadbeat employers.

The ordinance is set for final approval by the full County Commission sometime in September.