Policy Matters Ohio Executive Director Hannah Halbert joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast and discussed the recent passage of a wage theft ordinance by Cleveland City Council that prohibits the city from doing business with companies who are found guilty of wage theft and payroll fraud.
The legislation prohibits the City of Cleveland from providing financial assistance to such companies or entering into contracts with them for city services, including construction. Halbert talked about the efforts of the advocacy group Guardians for Fair Work to pass the ordinance, which she hopes will hold bad players accountable and reduce wage theft.
Each year, workers in the state of Ohio lose about $600 million on average to wage theft, Halbert said. She noted the problem disproportionately impacts African Americans, women and impoverished workers.
Listen to the entire episode to learn more about the problem of wage theft.