A Prince George’s County delegate missed the cut this year, but vows to keep fighting for legislation that would entice lawyers to sue on behalf of workers, including illegals, who aren’t paid minimum wage.
Democratic Del. Victor Ramirez has been working on a bill that would triple the damages an employee can win against an employer that a court finds has violated state wage and hour laws. The change in penalties against employers would be a counterpoint to what Ramirez called conservative arguments claiming illegal immigrants in the work force drive down wages.
“The triple damages would help hold employers accountable,” Ramirez told The Examiner. “This would help protect Maryland wages” because employers fearing lawsuits would pay everyone equally, he said. Moreover, with the possibility of more money at the end of a lawsuit, both employees who believe they have not been properly paid, and lawyers looking to cash in, would have greater ability and reason to sue.
“An employee will more easily find an attorney and with the attorney fees, they’ll more easily hire one,” he said.
But Ramirez and the other sponsors, including Prince George’s County Democratic Dels. Doyle Niemann and Jolene Ivey, among others, couldn’t get enough votes as the session wrapped up to move the bill forward, so Ramirez said he’s putting the bill on hold until the next session.
Moving forward with the bill at a turtle’s pace is the best move, said Todd Lamb, executive director of Maryland Citizens Against Lawsuit Abuse.
“This was introduced at the end of the legislation and wasn’t talked about enough,” Lamb said. “It’s worthy of further discussion and more conversation.”
Lamb said he wonders if “the bill is not intended to open the flood gates for more litigation as opposed to curing the ills of wage hour laws.” Such litigation, he said, would “attack small businesses” that are already bearing the brunt of the economic downturn.
