A&I Electrical Construction, a Camden County solar panel contractor, has agreed to pay more than $226,000 in back wages to 31 workers for failing to comply with prevailing wage laws, the New Jersey Department of Labor & Workforce Development announced Monday.
The company, which was contracted by the Board of Public Utilities under the agency’s Solar Renewable Energy Credits financial assistance program to construct a solar field in Jackson Township, said it was unaware the state’s prevailing wage law applied and cooperated fully with the investigation, the DOL said.
The project called for the construction of a solar field generating 1.6 megawatts of power, making it subject to state prevailing wage law.
“Under the (Gov. Phil) Murphy administration, our department has been dedicated to ensuring that contractors selected to complete taxpayer-funded projects are abiding by the law and treating workers fairly,” Labor Commissioner Robert Asaro-Angelo said. “Performing public work is a privilege, not a right. We are making sure it pays to follow the rules.”
The investigation also uncovered violations for late payment of wages and failure to complete certified payroll records as required. An assessment of $370,418 was made against A&I Electrical Construction for the unpaid wages, plus penalties and fees, which has been paid in full. The contractor further agreed not to perform prevailing wage work for a minimum of five months.