Comptroller Lander Reveals $4 Million in Unpaid Prevailing Wages for Nearly 1,600 NYC Workers

On Tuesday, April 8th, New York City Comptroller Brad Lander announced that nearly 1,600 workers are owed over $4 million in unpaid prevailing wages from City-funded projects. These wages, which stem from settlements with companies that worked on City-funded projects across the five boroughs, remain unclaimed by eligible workers. The Comptroller’s Bureau of Labor Law is actively working to locate these workers and help them recover the wages they are owed.

The Bureau of Labor Law has conducted thorough investigations to ensure workers receive the appropriate wages and benefits. These prevailing wage laws apply to employees involved in various City-funded projects, including construction, custodial, security, and temporary office work. They also cover building service employees working at properties receiving state tax benefits.

Comptroller Lander emphasized the importance of ensuring workers are paid fairly for their labor. “Thanks to the dedicated investigative work of our Bureau of Labor Law, we’ve recovered millions of dollars for workers cheated out of prevailing wages on City projects,” he said. “Over a thousand workers who built this city have yet to collect their hard-earned wages, and we hope they’ll come forward to claim what they’re owed.”

Claudia Henriquez, Director of Workers’ Rights, added, “If you did the work, you deserve your proper wages. If you believe you are owed back wages from a City-funded job, we urge you to check our list, reach out, and get what you’ve earned.”

The list of workers owed money includes those employed at various City-funded worksites, such as public schools, subway stations, and parks. The amounts owed vary, ranging from a few hundred dollars to over $86,000, with the total unclaimed wages amounting to approximately $4.27 million.

Workers who believe they may be entitled to back wages can check the Comptroller’s website for a list of names and follow the steps to file a claim. The Comptroller’s office can be contacted at (212) 669-4443 or at laborlaw@comptroller.nyc.gov.

The Comptroller’s Office encourages anyone who may have worked on City-funded projects to verify if they are owed money, regardless of their immigration status or whether they still reside in New York City.