RI Senate passes two unpaid wages bills

March 31, 2016 8:51 pm

By: Thomas Blacke

tblacke@abc6.com

State House- The RI State Senate passed two pieces of legislation today designed to protect workers in RI from the theft of their hard earned wages by unscrupulous employers.

Senate Majority Leader Dominick J. Ruggerio (D-Dist. 4, No. Providence, Providence) sponsored a bill that was passed would help establish a procedure for employees to secure liens against employers for unpaid wages and contested claims would be decided by the Superior Court.

“There is no excuse for loyal and hardworking employees to not get paid what they are owed” said Senator Ruggerio.

The second piece of legislation passed was sponsored by Sen. Donna M. Nesselbush (D-District 15, Pawtucket, No. Providence). Senator Nesselbush’s legislation increases the penalties for nonpayment of wages and improves access to the justice system for aggrieved employees to file claims against non paying employers for unpaid wages.

“Wage theft is one step above slavery and must be eradicated. Workers are the engine and backbone of our economy, our families and our society”, said Senator Nesselbush.

Both pieces of legislation now head to the House of Representatives for their consideration.