STATE REP. GERGELY SUPPORTS BILLS TO REDUCE ILLEGAL WORKERS

US State News
December 22, 2009

HARRISBURG, Pa. -- Pennsylvania State Rep. Marc J. Gergely, D-Allegheny (35th District), issued the following news release:

State Rep. Marc Gergely, D-Allegheny, today voted to approve two bills in the House Labor Relations Committee that will reduce the number of illegal workers in Pennsylvania.

"I strongly support this package of bills that will crack down on companies that deliberately hire illegal aliens," Gergely said.

"Companies that hire illegal workers typically pay them less than the standard rate.

That illegal cheating gives those dishonest companies an unfair competitive advantage and often creates a workplace that sacrifices safety."

Gergely said H.B. 1502 will require state contractors and subcontractors that work on public projects to verify the employment eligibility of their employees.

The second bill, H.B. 1503, will require all contractors in the construction industry to verify the employment eligibility of their employees.

Both bills will require use of the Social Security Number Verification Service to verify existing employees, and the E-Verify Program for newly hired employees.

Gergely is vice chairman of the House Labor Relations Committee, which unanimously approved both bills.

"I have been working hard to gain support for these bills from legislators from both sides of the aisle," Gergely said.

"Today's unanimous committee vote is further evidence of the importance of requiring employers to verify their workers' employment eligibility.

It must ensure it reduces the number of illegal aliens getting paid under the table and stop unscrupulous companies from hiring them.

"During these difficult economic times, we must do everything possible to help businesses succeed, especially small construction companies. These bills should level the playing field for honest companies and help workers who have been pushed off the payrolls by illegal aliens, who often work for less money."

Gergely urged the House to quickly vote on the bills and send them to the Senate.

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