News Release: April 30, 2021

Workers Need Information about May 1 Minimum Wage Increase

On May 1, Virginia’s minimum wage increases from $7.25 per hour to $9.50 per hour.  This is good news for the approximately 400,000 workers who will see their wages increase – half because their wages are below the new minimum of $9.50 and half whose wages will increase as employers adjust their wage scales. For those who are eligible for the overtime premium and work more than 40 hours a week, their take home pay will increase even more.

Unfortunately, not all workers will know their rights, and as the minimum wage goes up, too many workers will be victims of wage theft.  Wage theft is when an employer breaks the law and does not pay workers all their legally owed wages.  Wage theft happens in a variety of ways.  Some workers are not paid the minimum wage and the problem tends to exacerbate immediately after increases to the minimum wage.  Many workers are not paid the overtime premium for hours worked over 40 even though they are eligible for the overtime premium (not all workers are eligible). Some workers are called independent contractors when they are really employees and get cheated of the employer side of payroll taxes and many other protections. Some workers do not get paid for all the hours they work.

The Virginia Interfaith Center for Public Policy has prepared Minimum Wage factsheets in English and Spanish about the minimum wage increase that can help workers and employers understand their rights and responsibilities.

The Virginia Interfaith Center for Public Policy also recently launched a website, www.wagetheftva.org, to help workers understand their rights and link them with attorneys who might help them recover their unpaid wages if they have been victims of wage theft.

 

Media Contact: Kim Bobo

Cell:  773-391-8844

 

Kim Bobo
Executive Director
Virginia Interfaith Center for Public Policy
1716 E Franklin Street
Richmond, VA 23223
(804) 643-2474 — office
(773) 391-8844 — cell
@VAinterfaithkim

Please support the Center’s important work by clicking here:  www.virginiainterfaithcenter.org/give

 

The Virginia Interfaith Center for Public Policy advocates economic, racial, social and environmental justice in Virginia’s policies and practices
through education, prayer and action.