(WASHINGTON, D.C.) - The Biden-Harris Administration announced the U.S. Department of Labor’s (USDOL) Wage and Hour Division has recovered more than $1 billion in back wages and damages for our Nation’s Workers since the start of the Biden-Harris Administration. 

The recoveries derive from investigations concluded by the division from January 20th, 2021 through September 30th, 2024.

Acting Secretary of Labor Julie Su said: “As part of the Biden-Harris administration’s efforts to protect and defend America’s Working People, the Wage and Hour Division has recovered more than ($1 billion) in back wages and damages - achieving both justice and economic relief for more than (615,000) Workers.  Thanks to the leadership of President (Joe) Biden and Vice President (Kamala) Harris, this Department has been focused on protecting those Workers who need us most - the Hotel Cleaners, Home Care Aides, Meatpackers and hundreds of thousands more.  And by ensuring that employers who violate the law are held to account, we are deterring businesses from exploiting Workers in the future.  I am so proud to say that we are putting money back in Workers’ pockets and signaling to bad actors that they won’t get away with wage theft and illegal child labor on our watch.”

The Division enforces some of the Nation’s most foundational Labor Laws, including the Fair Labor Standards Act that requires payment of a Federal Minimum Wage and Overtime Wages, as well as laws that require Prevailing Wages for Federally funded and assisted contracts.

The agency prioritizes helping Workers in low-wage, high-violation industries, including health care, agriculture, construction and many others.

“We are dedicated to protecting and enhancing the welfare of the Nation’s Workforce with a focus on underserved and often vulnerable workers,” Wage and Hour Administrator Jessica Looman said. “The money we recover from employers helps Workers pay for housing, child care and other necessities.  While we are proud to have recovered ($1 billion) in Workers’ owed wages and damages, we remain concerned by the wage theft we have uncovered and the harm it causes for hard-working people across the Nation.  We will continue to use all our tools to protect Workers across the country.”

In addition to its enforcement efforts, the Division provides outreach and education to employers, Workers and other stakeholders to raise awareness of Workers’ Rights and prevent violations of Federal Labor Standards.

To Read This Labor News Story In Its Entirety, Go To: US Department of Labor recovers more than $1B in wages, damages for 615,000 workers under Biden-Harris administration | U.S. Department of Labor (dol.gov)