30/08/2020 Commentary: Lawmakers must act to protect workers from wage theft The new EMPIRE Act would allow whistleblowers to pursue monetary penalties for labor violations, including wage theft and safety violations, on behalf of the Labor Department without lengthy delays, and to distribute those penalties to the state and aggrieved workers. This public enforcement tool would not be restricted by forced arbitration requirements. A similar law in California raised approximately $88 million for the state in 2019 alone, and similar legislation has been proposed in Massachusetts, Maine, Oregon, Vermont, Connecticut and Washington. The pandemic has shown us that worker health is public health and has led to important changes, like New York's new paid sick leave law. As we reopen and rebuild, we must make these changes meaningful by ensuring that people can enforce the rights they have. More Information Elizabeth Stork is an attorney with the law firm Reavis Page Jump LLP, which represents employees and businesses and advocates equal access to justice. Estee Ward is a staff attorney for Make the Road New York, an immigrant and working-class advocacy group. SEE MORE Sign up for the Daily Brief newsletter Email address SIGN UP By subscribing, you agree to our Terms of Use and acknowledge that your information will be used as described in our Privacy Notice. Written By Elizabeth Stork and Estee Ward https://www.timesunion.com/opinion/article/Commentary-Lawmakers-must-act-to-protect-workers-15511424.php 4/9