Biden sets $15 minimum wage for federal contractors
President Biden issued an executive order raising to $15 the minimum wage for work done on federal contracts. The wage currently is $10.95.
Visa update: Homeland Security increases H-2B allotment for temporary seasonal labor
The Department of Homeland Security last week announced a supplemental increase of 22,000 visas for the H-2B Temporary Non-Agricultural Worker program; 6,000 of these visas will be reserved for nationals of the Northern Triangle countries of Honduras, El Salvador and Guatemala.
Washington state mandates temp training, buyer/provider coordination
A new law in Washington state, meant to prevent injuries to temporary workers, requires increased communication between staffing agencies and worksite employers to close safety and training gaps, Washington State Wire reports.
IC Classification roundup: AB 5 not retroactive; US Supreme Court to weigh in on Uber case?
A California company successfully argued the state’s ABC test should not have applied to its IC classification case. Uber asks the US Supreme Court to enter driver classification fray.
Trucking firm to recoup payout to injured contractor
A liability policy’s employee exclusion does not apply to contractors, a jury determined. Therefore, the insurer must reimburse a trucking company the $2 million paid out to an injured IC, Reuters reported.
Maine buyer faces penalties in H-2A visa investigation
A tomato grower has paid $245,351 in back wages and $92,114 in civil money penalties for violating labor provisions of the H-2A Temporary Agricultural Visa Program and the Migrant and Seasonal Agricultural Worker Protection Act.
Massachusetts’ Uber, Lyft driver suit proceeds
A Massachusetts judge denied a bid to dismiss a state lawsuit challenging Uber and Lyft classification of drivers as independent contractors instead of employees, Business Insider reported.
H-1B updates: Wage hike delayed; rejected applications may be reconsidered
The DOL is delaying the wage increase established in the waning days of the Trump administration for H-1B visa workers, while USCIS said it may reconsider rejected H-1B applications in light of rescinded policy memos.
Regulatory update: Joint employer rule and IC test formally withdrawn
The DOL announced proposals to formally withdraw the independent contractor final rule and the regulation determining joint employer status under the FLSA.
House passes legislation codifying Browning, three-factor IC test
The US House of Representatives on Tuesday passed legislation that would affect several aspects of employment law, including independent contractor classification and joint employment.
