Low-wage workers may be on the verge of getting new protections.
Workers in Virginia are required to receive paystubs showing how their salary is calculated, and whether they are receiving all the money they’re owed — but only if they request it in writing.
Delegate Lashrecse Aird, a Democrat from Petersburg, has a bill that would require all employers to provide all workers with paystubs, a bill that sailed through a House subcommittee this week.
“I’m thrilled that we were able to move forward common-sense legislation that now ensures that all Virginians will receive proof of their wages, and even more excited that we had no opposition from any entity.”
No opposition because Aird was able to assuage business groups by creating an exemption for some agricultural workers.
Meanwhile, at the other end of the Capitol, Republican Senator Frank Wagner of Virginia Beach has a similar bill on the Senate side.
“It might provide, and I hope it provides, a level of protection for those who are just basically using people and paying them far less than the minimum wage.”
Wagner’s bill has already been passed in the Senate, and support in the subcommittee for Aird’s bill is an indication the effort has support from Republicans and Democrats on both sides of the Capitol.
This report, provided by Virginia Public Radio, was made possible with support from the Virginia Education Association.
