The U.S. Department of Labor Wage and Hour Division (“WHD”) announced that Hawaii maritime repair company Pacific Shipyards International LLC must pay $239,380 to 47 employees after a WHD investigation found it had failed to pay the prevailing wages required for work performed on a government-funded contract at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam.  The investigation found that workers were erroneously classified as laborers while they performed the duties of more highly skilled and higher paid positions such as boilermakers and painters.  As a result, the employer failed to pay employees the correct prevailing wage rates for those job classifications as required under the Davis-Bacon Act.

“Employers must pay the required prevailing wage rates and fringe benefits stipulated in the government contract for the trade work performed at a federally funded job site,” said Wage and Hour Division District Director Terence Trotter, in Honolulu, Hawaii.  “We urge all employers to use the tools we offer to help them avoid violations and understand their responsibilities.”

WHD provides employers with compliance assistance resources related to the Davis-Bacon Act and the Davis-Bacon and Related Acts. For more information about federal regulations on government contracts and other laws enforced by the Wage and Hour Division, contact the Division’s toll-free helpline at 866-4US-WAGE (487-9243).

Source:  DOL News Release