Wage Violations Lead Off California, Denver 2023 Labor Targets

California’s governor and the Denver City Council opened the year with moves to strengthen enforcement of worker payment laws, the latest in a steady stream of “wage theft” measures around the US that business interests say often threaten steep and overly punitive penalties.

It’s an issue that gets perennial attention from worker advocates and progressive lawmakers, who say wage theft is prevalent and difficult to police, especially for low-wage and vulnerable workers such as immigrant construction and restaurant labor. But business groups say it’s tricky to balance the need to protect workers from unscrupulous companies that withhold pay while not ...