Brooklyn Construction Firm Forced to Pay Immigrant Workers $300G

More than twenty workers were recently awarded over $300,000 of overdue pay from The Urban Group. The Brooklyn company, contracted by the city to work on school projects, has pleaded guilty to grand larceny for underpaying the immigrant workers.

The discrepancy came to light when the construction company was forced to post signage announcing the legal hourly wage. Many of the workers were afraid to come forward because most of them don’t have documents. These workers were able to join the case against their employer, no matter their immigration status.

Many companies submit low bids to the city, knowing they can under-pay immigrant workers. Even worse some immigrant workers get injured on the job and are afraid to get their claims heard. In an interview with one of the employees, Diego, was elated after he found out that the firm would be responsible for repaying the amount owed to him. “It's heavy work. I want to send some money to my family in Colombia. The rest I’m trying to save or spend on my daughter," Diego is quoted as saying.Needless to say, it was a bright spot in an otherwise, murky and unfortunate situation.