Listen
Last week, lobbyists made a last-ditch effort to change Houston’s proposed ordinance on wage theft by asking for a final meeting with Houston Mayor Annise Parker.
Negotiations resulted in minor changes to the proposal that don’t substantially affect how the city will deal with wage theft violators.
Laura Perez-Boston is executive director of the Fe y Justicia Worker Center in Houston, the group largely responsible for bringing this issue to the city council.
“It does not pose a threat to any responsible business. It only creates consequences for those that are knowingly and willingly stealing wages from workers. And I think we’ve seen multiple responsible businesses come out to speak in favor of this because it also protects their interests being able to compete on a level playing field.”
Perez-Boston says data from the Department of Labor shows an estimated $753 million is stolen from employees annually in the Houston area.
The city ordinance will create a database of companies convicted of wage theft and prohibit the city from doing business with them for five years.
City Councilmembers will vote on the ordinance tomorrow.
Subscribe to Today in Houston
Fill out the form below to subscribe our new daily editorial newsletter from the HPM Newsroom.