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Wage theft package gets first committee hearing

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Michigan Regional Council of Carpenters

Michigan House lawmakers heard testimony Thursday over bills to redefine who counts as an independent contractor and prevent wage theft

Business organizations are opposing the 16-bill package, saying it would negatively affect employers and gig workers like Lyft or Uber drivers.

Amanda Fisher is the state director for the National Federation of Independent Business. She says the package would do too much.

“You’re not just talking about bad actors, you’re talking about completely changing the system, which it’s two totally different things.”

But Tom Lutz of the Michigan Regional Council of Carpentersand Millwrights says the current classification system is being abused.

“There are legitimate independent contractors. But in construction, that’s codeword for exploited employee.”

The bills would also require wage transparency upon request.

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