CT Labor Officials Say Companies More Reluctant to Pay Unpaid Wages Due to Economy

Connecticut labor officials say the weak economy is making it harder to force companies to pay unpaid wages.

The Department of Labor says it recovered more than $5.5 million in unpaid wages for workers in Connecticut in the year that ended June 30. Officials responded to 3,800 complaints about unpaid wages.

That's down from $6.1 million recovered last year in response to 3,682 claims.

Gary Pechie, director of the wage and workplace standards division, said Friday that businesses are fighting state officials and refusing to pay. Other companies are out of business.

He said labor officials are often forced to sue companies or seek an arrest to recover money for employees.

Pechie says it's gotten tougher to recover money through simple persuasion and explaining the law.

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