[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ admin_label=”section” _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_row admin_label=”row” _builder_version=”4.16″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_text admin_label=”Text” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content” sticky_enabled=”0″]On June 11, the Ohio House of Representatives unanimously passed the E-Verify Workforce Integrity Act to ensure all workers hired in Ohio for nonresidential construction projects are legally authorized to work in the United States.<\/p>\n
Affiliated Construction Trades (ACT) Ohio supported the legislation, which saw all 92 state representatives in attendance vote in favor of the bill.<\/p>\n
Under the legislation, all contractors, subcontractors and labor brokers working on public works projects for state agencies and political subdivisions must use the federal E-Verify program to confirm employee eligibility. This requirement also applies to private-sector contractors in nonresidential construction.<\/p>\n
The bill empowers the Attorney Generals office to investigate suspected violations, issue notices of violation and pursue enforcement through the courts if necessary.<\/p>\n
Penalties include fines, disqualification from state contracts for up to two years and license suspension or revocation, especially when unauthorized workers are knowingly employed.<\/p>\n
The legislation was introduced by Rep. D.J. Swearingen (R-Huron) and Rep. Tex Fischer (R-Boardman). It had 56 co-sponsors, more than half of the 99 total members in the House.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is a great first step in safeguarding Ohio jobs and ensuring our resources stay in our local communities,\u201d said Swearingen. \u201cOur goal is to employ a legal workforce in Ohio and give employers the tools necessary to provide skilled Ohioans with the jobs they deserve.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThe people of Ohio gave us a mandate: to control illegal immigration and protect Ohio workers. This bill accomplishes both,\u201d said Fischer. \u201cI\u2019m looking forward to seeing Ohio join the other states across the nation that have implemented this common-sense policy that will protect Ohioans from illegal workers undercutting their wages.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is a commonsense way to protect our most crucial jobs and to encourage these industries to reward hardworking people of Ohio,\u201d added Rep. Brian Stewart (R-Ashville).<\/p>\n
During his May 14 testimony to the House Commerce and Labor Committee, ACT Ohio Executive Director Matt Szollosi noted that states that have implemented mandatory E-Verify for all employers have seen the presence of undocumented migrants illegally seeking jobs without authorization to work reduced by up to 83 percent.<\/p>\n
He explained that E-Verify utilizes the same form employers are already required by federal law to fill out when hiring a new employee, the federal I-9 form.<\/p>\n
Under the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986, employers are required to fill out and maintain the I-9 form for three years, but they do not have to submit it anywhere.<\/p>\n
However, under E-Verify, employers are required to fill out and submit the I-9 form for an instantaneous response from the federal government on an employee\u2019s employment eligibility status.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is not a check on citizenship or immigration status, but merely a confirmation of the employee\u2019s eligibility to work in the United States,\u201d Szollosi stated.<\/p>\n
Each year, the building trades and their partner contractors invest more than $65 million in private funds on apprenticeship training. Taxpayer money does not fund union construction training programs.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen labor brokers smuggle workers into the United States, pay sub-standard wages, offer no benefits and kick them to the curb if they get hurt on the job site, it hurts Ohio,\u201d Szollosi said. \u201cThis abusive cycle puts Ohio-based contractors at a competitive disadvantage, compromises our ability to place apprentices on jobsites, displaces Ohio construction workers (union and non-union) and undercuts Ohio\u2019s state and local tax base.\u201d<\/p>\n
House Bill 246 was sent to the Ohio Senate on June 12 and placed into the Workforce Development Committee.[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
On June 11, the Ohio House of Representatives unanimously passed the E-Verify Workforce Integrity Act to ensure all workers hired in Ohio for nonresidential construction projects are legally authorized to work in the United States. Affiliated Construction Trades (ACT) Ohio supported the legislation, which saw all 92 state representatives in attendance vote in favor of […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5,"featured_media":5040,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_et_pb_use_builder":"on","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[349],"tags":[628,581,812,813,724],"class_list":["post-5068","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news","tag-construction","tag-construction-jobs","tag-e-verify","tag-e-verify-workforce-integrity-act","tag-ohio"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n