201 Businesses Now Listed on New Jersey's Workplace Accountability in Labor List (‘The WALL’)

The WALL marks its first anniversary, expanding its public listing of businesses that have failed to meet wage, benefit, and tax law obligations.

As the Workplace Accountability in Labor List ("The WALL") reaches its first anniversary, 201 businesses have been publicly listed for failing to comply with New Jersey’s labor, wage, and tax laws. The WALL, launched in September 2023 with 36 businesses, is a compliance tool designed to expose and ban companies that have not paid workers or failed to meet their financial obligations to the New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development (NJDOL) and the Department of Treasury.

“The Murphy Administration is lifting the veil of secrecy that more than 200 bad actors operated under to exploit New Jersey workers and gain an unfair competitive edge,” said Labor Commissioner Robert Asaro-Angelo. “Collectively they owe over $20 million in combined unpaid wages to workers and back taxes and contributions. The WALL sends a clear message that we will not allow businesses to be built on the backs of wronged workers – New Jersey will know the names and reputations of these businesses that violate the rights of workers, and they will be held accountable.”

The initiative was established through bipartisan legislation (S-4226) in 2020 to enhance NJDOL’s ability to combat worker exploitation and protect compliant businesses from unfair competition. Businesses listed on The WALL are barred from participating in public contracts across the state, ensuring that taxpayer-funded opportunities are reserved for those complying with the law.

NJDOL’s efforts have recovered $498,216.38 from businesses listed on The WALL or those who promptly paid their liabilities upon receiving notice. To date, one business was removed from the list in August after settling all outstanding debts. Once notified by NJDOL, companies have 20 days to pay in full or challenge their potential inclusion on The WALL. This month alone, five businesses were added to the list, collectively owing $753,702.18 in unpaid wages, penalties, and fines to workers and the state.

“The goal of The WALL is to bring businesses into compliance with the law,” said NJDOL Office of Strategic Enforcement and Compliance (OSEC) Director Peter Basso. “In an ideal situation, our state wouldn’t need this tool, and workers would be paid what they are owed. We applaud the businesses that have stepped forward during the first year of The WALL initiative to do what is right by paying their employees and resolving outstanding fines and contributions with the state.”

Among the companies listed this September are:

• A L C Contracting LLC (d/b/a A.L.C. Landscaping & Construction), Hackensack, NJ, owing $20,572.45
• AVR Enterprise LLC, Fairfield, NJ, owing $15,218.26
• Empire Hotel Services LLC, Freehold, NJ, owing $20,629.06
• Freedom of Choice Health Care, Inc., Union City, NJ, owing $36,863.64
• Jamali Developers LLC (d/b/a JD Construction), Monroe Township, NJ, owing $660,418.77

These companies, alongside 196 others, have failed to resolve outstanding liabilities, including violations of the NJ Wage Payment Law, NJ State Wage and Hour Law, and the NJ Prevailing Wage Act. The unpaid violations range from $10,668.02 to $760,938.64.

“Research shows that public exposure deters employer violations,” said Terri Gerstein, Director of the NYU Wagner Labor Initiative at NYU's Robert F. Wagner Graduate School of Public Service. “The WALL is an important measure that helps empower workers with information about employers. It’s also an important tool for ensuring that taxpayer money does not fund public contracts with scofflaws who gain an unfair competitive advantage by breaking all the rules. New Jersey showed bipartisan leadership in creating The Wall, and more states should follow their example.”

The WALL initiative stands alongside other accountability measures, such as debarment and license suspension, with state and local procurement officials required to cross-reference The WALL before awarding public contracts. The complete list, updated monthly, is available for public viewing and download on the NJDOL’s website.

This compliance measure aims to promote fair labor practices, ensure that workers receive their rightful earnings, and hold non-compliant businesses accountable. The WALL represents New Jersey's commitment to transparency and fairness in the workplace by preventing those who exploit workers from benefiting from public contracts.

For more information about The WALL and answers to frequently asked questions, visit nj.gov/labor/wall. Inquiries can be directed to OSECInquiries@dol.nj.gov.