NJDOL Issues Stop-Work Order to Contractor Performing Work at North Brunswick Municipal Building 

TRENTON – Investigators from the New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development’s (NJDOL) Division of Wage and Hour and Contract Compliance issued the following stop-work order on March 18: 

Employer: Bella Contracting Services L.L.C. of Fair Lawn
Work Location: North Brunswick Municipal Building 

Category: Public Works Construction 

Nature of Work: Ceiling Grid Install/Sheet Rock/Carpentry 

Details: Allegations include workers not receiving the fringe benefit portion of the carpenter prevailing wage, and several weeks of no pay. 

Violations: Failure to Pay Prevailing Wage; Records Violations (Inaccurate Certified Payroll); Unpaid Wages 

Workers Affected: 7 

NJDOL has issued 158 stop-work orders since these powers were expanded in July 2019. 

Stop-work orders are initiated by NJDOL to halt work being performed in a manner that exploits workers or is otherwise noncompliant with state laws and regulations. An employer may appeal a stop-work order, in which case NJDOL has seven days to schedule a hearing. 

NJDOL continues to monitor locations where stop-work orders have been issued and can assess civil penalties of $5,000 per day against an employer conducting business in violation of the order. The stop-work order may be lifted when any remaining back wages and penalties have been paid and all related issues have been resolved. 

NJDOL and its partners at the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs and the New Jersey Department of Education sent direct letters reminding local governments and boards of education of their responsibilities under the New Jersey Prevailing Wage Act. 

NJDOL maintains a record of registered public works contractors that should be consulted by any government agency or entity before hiring for a public works project. Doing so can help avoid unnecessary project delays and extra costs to businesses, schools, government entities and taxpayers. The list contains thousands of businesses, and is searchable by name, address, registration date, and certificate number. 

In addition, registered public works contractors are required to participate in Registered Apprenticeship programs, which ensures that public funds contribute to the training of New Jersey workers in the construction sector. 

For more information on worker benefits and protections, please visit myworkrights.nj.gov.