Nine Businesses Added to NJDOL’s ‘WALL’ for Wage, Benefit, and Tax Violations

The New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development (NJDOL) names businesses with unpaid liabilities, restricting them from public contracts.

In October, the New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development (NJDOL) added nine businesses to its Workplace Accountability in Labor List, known as “The WALL,” highlighting employers with unresolved violations related to wage, benefit, or tax laws. This recent addition brings the total number of businesses on The WALL to 210, collectively owing $22.4 million in liabilities. Businesses listed on The WALL are prohibited from obtaining public contracts until their debts are fully repaid.

The newly listed businesses owe a combined $2,194,018.60 to the Unemployment Compensation Fund and the State Disability Benefits Fund. Since The WALL’s launch in September 2023, NJDOL has used this platform as a public accountability tool, discouraging businesses from bypassing wage and benefit contributions required under state law. “The WALL enables the department to publicly name companies that shortchange their workers and skip required contributions,” stated NJDOL, referring to its purpose as both an enforcement tool and a resource to protect businesses and workers alike.

Under bipartisan legislation (S-4226) enacted in 2020, NJDOL gained authority to establish The WALL as a response to growing concerns around worker misclassification and exploitation. This measure ensures fair competition and supports businesses that meet labor standards while enforcing penalties on those that don’t. The WALL initiative is one of NJDOL’s tactics to hold non-compliant companies accountable and prevent them from engaging in public contracting.

Businesses with outstanding liabilities receive a formal warning letter from NJDOL before being added to The WALL. They are given 20 days to either pay their dues or dispute their inclusion. Once listed, companies may also face additional penalties such as business license suspension and public contractor debarment.

Here are the nine businesses most recently added to The WALL:

1. DRG Dedicated Transport Group LLC (West New York, NJ) owes $274,370.56 for violations under multiple labor laws, including the Unemployment Compensation Law and Temporary Disability Benefits Law.
2. ER Drywall Limited Liability Company (Lindenwold, NJ) has an outstanding liability of $260,842.81, also for non-compliance with wage and benefit laws.
3. J&R Carpenter LLC (Ewing, NJ) was posted for unpaid contributions totaling $281,812.32.
4. Jersey-Paint Corp. (Union City, NJ) is listed with liabilities amounting to $250,414.11 for violations under New Jersey’s wage and tax laws.
5. Jesus F. Tiscareno Drywall Installation (Norristown, PA) owes $255,593.42, having failed to resolve outstanding benefit-related liabilities.
6. Jim's Air Conditioning, Inc. (Wayne, NJ) has an unpaid balance of $175,525.90 in penalties and interest.
7. KBS Freight Systems LLC (Voorhees, NJ) owes $241,978.18 for contributions due under labor law requirements.
8. S. Reinhardt Paving, Inc. (Wayne, NJ) was added to The WALL with an outstanding liability of $193,887.80.
9. Tiger Builders Limited Liability Company (Newark, NJ) faces penalties totaling $259,593.50.

According to NJDOL, The WALL has helped recover $558,216.38 in overdue payments, either from businesses posted to the list or those warned of potential inclusion. The list continues to be updated monthly as new businesses with unresolved violations are added. Public procurement officers are required to check The WALL, alongside other compliance lists, before awarding state or local contracts.

For further details or to view The WALL, inquiries can be directed to OSECInquiries@dol.nj.gov.