Skip to Main Content
Home / News / Significant Increase in Labor Law Penalties

Significant Increase in Labor Law Penalties

July 7, 2016
Categories: 
News

DEPARTMENT OF LABOR AND INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS

 DAVID Y. IGE
GOVERNOR
LINDA CHU TAKAYAMA
Director

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 7, 2016

SIGNIFICANT INCREASES IN LABOR LAW PENALTIES
Penalties for Workers’ Compensation, Temporary Disability Insurance and Prevailing Wages Violations Increase

 HONOLULU — Gov. David Ige signed into law Acts 187 and 192 on July 1, which increase the penalties for non-compliance with certain labor laws administered by the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations (DLIR). Act 187 also excludes some employers from having to provide Temporary Disability Insurance (TDI) for themselves if they perform services for their own corporation, limited liability company (LLC), limited liability partnership (LLP), partnership, or sole proprietorship.

“DLIR supported the substantial increase in penalties to serve as a deterrent to help enforce the law,” said DLIR Director Linda Chu Takayama. “It also makes for a more level playing field for law-abiding employers who pay their fair share and provide the statutory benefits to their workers.”  Earlier this year DLIR participated in an on-site investigation of tenant contractors working on the new Ewa Wing at Ala Moana Center. The regulatory action uncovered dozens of violations related to unlicensed activity, uninsured workers and unpaid taxes.

The new laws increase penalties for workers’ compensation insurance from $10 per employee per day to $100 per employee per day, the first increase in 28 years. The penalty for non-compliance with maintaining temporary disability insurance increased from $1 per employee per day to $100 per employee per day. TDI penalties had not changed since they were first established 47 years ago in 1969.

Under Act 192 the penalties for violations of Hawaii’s prevailing wage laws on public construction projects are changed from 10% to 25% of the amount of back wages due or $250 per offense for a first offense; from $100 to $500 or the equivalent of the back wages due for a second offense within two years; and for a third offense within three years of the second violation from $200 or the amount of back wages to two times the amount of back wages or $1,000 per offense and be suspended from any new public works project for three years.

Recently, the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) announced it was increasing its maximum penalties, last adjusted in 1990, by 78%. It is requiring state agencies, such as Hawaii’s HIOSH, to adopt maximum penalty levels that are at least as effective as theirs. DLIR plans to submit a proposal to do so in the next session of the Legislature.  Employers are encouraged to seek information and assistance for their safety programs, provided at no cost, in advance.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Program
Auxiliary aids and services are available upon request to individuals with disabilities.
TDD/TTY Dial 711 then ask for (808) 586-8866

# # #
View DLIR news releases:
https://labor.hawaii.gov/blog/category/news/

Media Contact:
Bill Kunstman
Department of Labor and Industrial Relations
(808) 586-8845
[email protected]
https://labor.hawaii.gov

 

Department of Labor and Industrial Relations

VISAYAN: CEBUANO

Gakinahanglan ka ba ug tabang sa imong pinulongan? Amo kang mahatagan ug libre nga maghuhubad. Tawag sa (808-586-8842) aron magpahibalo kung unsa ang imong sinulti-han.

You have the right to an interpreter at no cost to you.

Department of Labor and Industrial Relations

TIẾNG VIỆT: VIETNAMESE

Bạn có cần giúp đỡ bằng ngôn ngữ khác không ? Chúng tôi se yêu cầu một người thông dịch viên miễn phí cho bạn. Gọi (808-586-8842) nói cho chúng tôi biết bạn dùng ngôn ngữ nào.

You have the right to an interpreter at no cost to you.

Department of Labor and Industrial Relations

ภาษาไทย:THAI

คุณต้องการความช่วยเหลือทางด้านภาษาหรือไม่ ทางเราจะจัดหาล่ามฟรีให้คุณ โทรที่เบอร์ (808-586-8842) และบอกเราว่าคุณพูดภาษาอะไร

You have the right to an interpreter at no cost to you.

Department of Labor and Industrial Relations

TAGALOG: TAGALOG

Kailangan ba ninyo ng tulong sa ibang lengguwahe? Ikukuha namin kayo ng libreng tagasalin. Tumawag sa (808-586-8842) para sabihin kung anong lengguwahe ang nais ninyong gamitin.

You have the right to an interpreter at no cost to you.

Department of Labor and Industrial Relations

ESPAÑOL: SPANISH

¿Necesita ayuda en otro idioma? Nosotros le ayudaremos a conseguir un intérprete gratuito. Llame al (808-586-8842) y diganos que idioma habla.

You have the right to an interpreter at no cost to you.

Department of Labor and Industrial Relations

GAGANA SAMOA: SAMOAN

E te mana’o mia se fesosoani i se isi gagana? Matou te fesosoani e ave atu fua se faaliliu upu mo oe. Vili mai i le numera lea (808-586-8842) pea e mana’o mia se fesosoani mo se faaliliu upu.

You have the right to an interpreter at no cost to you.

Department of Labor and Industrial Relations

KAJIN MAJÔL: MARSHALLESE

Kwoj aikuij ke jiban kin juon bar kajin? Kim naj lewaj juon am dri ukok eo ejjelok wonen. Kirtok (808-586-8842) im kwalok non kim kajin ta eo kwo melele im kenono kake.

You have the right to an interpreter at no cost to you.

Department of Labor and Industrial Relations

한국어: KOREAN

다른언어로 도움이 필요하십니까? 저희가 무료로 통역을 제공합니다. (808-586-8842) 로 전화해서 사용하는 언어를 알려주십시요

You have the right to an interpreter at no cost to you.

Department of Labor and Industrial Relations

日本語 (JAPANESE)

貴方は、他の言語に、助けを必要としていますか ? 私たちは、貴方のために、無料で 通訳を用意で きます。電話番号の、(808-586-8842)に、電話して、私たちに貴方の話されている言語を申し出てください。

You have the right to an interpreter at no cost to you.

Department of Labor and Industrial Relations

ILOKANO: ILOCANO

Masapulyo kadi ti tulong iti sabali a pagsasao? Ikkandakayo iti libre nga paraipatarus. Awaganyo ti (808-586-8842) tapno ibagayo kadakami no ania ti pagsasao nga ar-aramatenyo.

You have the right to an interpreter at no cost to you.

Department of Labor and Industrial Relations

中文 – CHINESE MANDARIN

您需要其它語言嗎?如有需要, 請致電 (808-586-8842), 我們會提供免費翻譯服務  (Traditional)

您需要其它语言吗?如有需要,请致电 (808-586-8842), 我们会提供免费翻译服务 (Simplified)

You have the right to an interpreter at no cost to you.

Department of Labor and Industrial Relations

中文 – CHINESE CANTONESE

您需要其它語言嗎?如有需要, 請致電 (808-586-8842), 我們會提供免費翻譯服務  (Traditional)

您需要其它语言吗?如有需要,请致电 (808-586-8842), 我们会提供免费翻译服务 (Simplified)

You have the right to an interpreter at no cost to you.

Department of Labor and Industrial Relations

ʻŌLELO HAWAIʻI: HAWAIIAN

Makemake `oe i kokua i pili kekahi `olelo o na `aina `e? Makemake la maua i ki`i `oe mea unuhi manuahi. E kelepona (808-586-8842)`oe ia la kaua a e ha`ina `oe ia la maua mea `olelo o na `aina `e.

You have the right to an interpreter at no cost to you.

Department of Labor and Industrial Relations

KAPASEN CHUUK: CHUUKESE

En mi niit alilis lon pwal eu kapas? Sipwe angei emon chon chiaku ngonuk ese kamo. Kokori (808-586-8842) omw kopwe ureni kich meni kapas ka ani.

You have the right to an interpreter at no cost to you.