Prohibits payment of subminimum wage due to age, disability, injury, or status as apprentice, learner, or student through special license issued by DOLWD.
If enacted, S1646 would revise existing laws regarding wage payments, specifically repealing the special permits that enable employers to legally pay subminimum wages. This change is intended to foster economic fairness and promote pay equity across the workforce, particularly benefiting vulnerable populations, including persons with disabilities. The bill is positioned to align New Jersey's labor laws with a growing recognition in various states that subminimum wage practices are unjust and detrimental to social equity.
Senate Bill S1646 aims to eliminate the provision allowing employers to pay subminimum wages to individuals based on age, disability, injury, or status as an apprentice, learner, or student. The bill seeks to abolish the special licenses issued by the New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development (DOLWD) that permit employers to pay wages below the established minimum wage under specified conditions. It argues that such payments are discriminatory and contribute to economic disparity among workers who deserve equitable compensation for their labor.
While the intent behind S1646 is largely framed around promoting social equity, it could face push back regarding potential impacts on businesses that rely on these licenses for certain employment practices. Some employers could argue that the elimination of subminimum wages might limit their ability to provide work opportunities to lower-skilled individuals or those in training programs. The debate may also center around the balance between protecting vulnerable workers and providing practical employment solutions for businesses aimed at integrating these individuals into the workforce.