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When contractors pay bad wages, the public shoulders the burden
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When contractors pay bad wages, the public shoulders the burden

Karla Walter highlights how new regulations governing the Davis-Bacon and Related Acts will ensure that workers on construction projects receiving federal funding are paid fairly.

President Joe Biden’s tenure has been marked by a relentless focus on creating good jobs for working Americans. In addition to the record 7.9 million jobs created during his time in office, he recently signed into law the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), which will create hundreds of thousands of new jobs and sustain millions more. The United States urgently needs more high-quality jobs, and the administration has also taken several steps to boost wages such as by raising the contractor minimum wage to $15; increasing equity and access for workers from all walks of life; and holding accountable corporations that violate workers’ rights.

Now, the Biden-Harris administration is updating regulations governing the Davis Bacon and Related Acts (DBA) to ensure that workers on construction projects that receive federal funding are paid fairly. While the draft rules may be overlooked by some, they will improve the lives of 1.2 million workers; ensure local, law-abiding contractors can compete on an even playing field; and help guarantee that IIJA investments and other government spending provide a good value to the public.

The above excerpt was originally published in The Hill. Click here to view the full article.

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Author

Karla Walter

Senior Fellow, Inclusive Economy

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