Anti-exploitation bill passed by House

BOSTON (WWLP) - House lawmakers have passed a bill that prevents temporary workers from being exploited.

The legislation requires staffing agencies to provide basic information to their temporary workers before going to work.

After passage in the House on Thursday, the measure is now before the Senate.

Lawmakers say it gives temporary workers basic single-page information about their wages, expected hours and benefits, such as worker’s compensation. Supporters of the bill, like Rep. Dorcena Forry say it protects a class of workers who are often picked up from street corners and driven to a job where they don’t know what they’ll be doing, how much they’ll be paid or what happens if they get hurt on the job.

“You know, the AG (Martha Coakley) said it was important for them to have this piece of legislation on the books, because they can’t be everywhere, so this will allow them to be able to crack down on the bad actors that are really trying to exploit workers, not pay them on time,” said Forry (D-Dorchester).

Critics say it’s already illegal to exploit workers or withhold wages, and putting extra regulations on businesses is unnecessary.

Others say many of the workers who are abused are likely illegally paid under the table, and the new law would not help them out.