Harrisburg, PA – As the Shapiro Administration continues to protect workers and crack down on wage theft, the Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry (L&I) today announced that in 2025 it investigated more than 7,000 labor law complaints statewide — a nearly 23 percent increase from 2024 — recovering more than $5.3 million in unpaid wages for Pennsylvania workers and collecting more than $2.25 million in fines for the General Fund from employers who broke Pennsylvania labor laws.
The surge in complaints reflects both increased enforcement and growing confidence among workers that the Commonwealth takes action when their rights are violated. Through these actions, L&I protected workers’ rights and held employers accountable.
“Pennsylvania workers deserve to be paid every dollar they earn and to know that their rights are protected,” said L&I Secretary Nancy A. Walker. “Under Governor Shapiro’s leadership, our Bureau of Labor Law Compliance is responding to thousands of complaints, returning wages to workers, and holding employers accountable when they break the law. When employers cheat their workers, the Commonwealth will not look the other way. This work is about fairness, dignity, and economic justice for working Pennsylvanians.”
L&I’s Bureau of Labor Law Compliance (BLLC) is responsible for administering, educating, and enforcing Pennsylvania’s labor laws. In 2025, BLLC took decisive enforcement action across industries and regions, receiving 7,029 complaints and delivering real financial relief to workers while penalizing repeat violators and assessing fines against employers violating the law.
2025 Bureau of Labor Law Compliance Enforcement Highlights
Wage Payment and Collection Law:
Ensures workers receive the wages they have earned in a timely manner
• Complaints Received: 4,749
• Unpaid Wages Returned to Workers: $4,010,527
• Workers Paid: Approximately 1,700
Minimum Wage Act:
Requires employers to pay minimum wage and overtime to eligible workers
• Complaints Received: 322
• Unpaid Wages Returned to Workers: $578,499
• Workers Paid: Approximately 450
Prevailing Wage Act:
Protects workers on publicly funded construction projects from being underpaid
• Complaints Received: 186
• Unpaid Wages Returned to Workers: $744,881
• Workers Paid: 386
Misclassification of Construction Employees:
Stops employers from illegally classifying workers as independent contractors to avoid paying wages and benefits
• Complaints and Referrals Received: 390
• Fines Collected: $762,635
• Companies Found in Violation: 187
• Workers Misclassified: 1,304
Child Labor Act:
Protects minors from unsafe or unlawful employment practices
• Cases Investigated: 1,265
• Fines Collected: $1,466,073
• Companies Found in Violation: 231
Mandatory Overtime Law for Nurses:
Protects patient safety and nurses well-being by limiting mandatory overtime
• Complaints Received: 117
• Fines Collected: $21,734
How to Submit a Complaint
L&I’s Bureau of Labor Law Compliance responds to complaints from workers and members of the public who suspect violations of Pennsylvania labor laws, including the Wage Payment and Collection Law, Minimum Wage Act, Child Labor Act, and the Construction Workplace Misclassification Act. Complaints can be filedonline through L&I’s website using a secure submission form.
For more information on the Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry, please visit the website or follow L&I on Instagram, Facebook, X, and LinkedIn.
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