A bill is being advanced in New Jersey that would impose fines of up to $10,000 on employers who exploit or threaten employees because of their immigration status.
On the 6th, the State Senate Labor Relations Committee approved and sent to the plenary session a bill establishing punishment provisions for employers who exploit employees or force them not to report labor law violations due to their immigration status. “Workers should not be forced to remain silent about workplace injustices for fear of their immigration status becoming known to authorities,” said State Senator Teresa Ruiz, who sponsored the bill. “For example, undocumented workers should not be paid minimum wage.” “The purpose of the bill is to prevent unfair situations in which workers have no choice but to remain silent due to their employer’s threat to inform the authorities of their illegal stay even if they receive a smaller amount,” he said. Under the bill, employers found to have exploited or intimidated employees because of their immigration status would be fined up to $1,000 for a first offense, $5,000 for a second offense, and $10,000 for three or more offenses.
Immigrant advocacy groups welcome this bill, but argue that stronger measures, such as revoking business licenses, should be taken. The New Jersey Immigrant Justice Coalition said, “This bill is the first step toward solving a larger problem,” adding, “A fine of up to $10,000 alone is not enough. He pointed out, “Stronger sanctions are needed to create an environment where immigrants can work and be treated fairly without fear.” According to the Immigration Policy Institute, it is estimated that 440,000 undocumented immigrants live in New Jersey.