FLORIDA Workers Comp Construction Subs MUST Check Workers Status

Subcontractors Warned to Check Workers’ Status; 15 Arrested

In spite of a warning to sub-contractors to check work status of all employees, fifteen undocumented workers were taken into custody at or near the construction location for the new Duval County Courthouse. All 15 employees work for a business responsible for doing concrete work on the site. The employer should have workers’ compensation coverage for those workers.

U.S. Border Patrol officials took eight employees near the job site into custody in the first incident, including one who attempted to hide beneath a parked car, according to an agent.

Less than a week later, the city called a meeting with the company constructing the courthouse, to emphasize that the contract could be rescinded for employing undocumented workers.

The company reportedly sent a letter to subcontractors and, a week later, seven workers were removed from the job site. The subcontractor was reportedly still working on the site because the contractor had not confirmed the arrested workers were illegal immigrants.

The city’s contract with the contractor prohibits employing undocumented workers. The company’s agreements with subcontractors reportedly contain the same language. (workersxzcompxzkit)

Deportation proceedings are going forward for the 15 arrested persons according to a Border Patrol agent.

Author Robert Elliott, executive vice president, Amaxx Risks Solutions, Inc. has worked successfully for 20 years with many industries to reduce Workers’ Compensation costs, including airlines, health care, manufacturing, printing/publishing, pharmaceuticals, retail, hospitality and manufacturing. He can be contacted at: [email protected] or 860-786-8286.

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Do not use this information without independent verification. All state laws vary. You should consult with your insurance broker or agent about workman’s comp insurance issues.