Wage Theft Is Economic Abuse
And in South Florida, it’s far too common.
Every year, thousands of workers across South Florida put in long hours—only to have part or all of their wages stolen. Whether through unpaid overtime, off-the-clock work, illegal deductions, or outright refusal to pay, wage theft is one of the most widespread and under-enforced labor violations in the region.
From construction sites in Miami to restaurants in Fort Lauderdale, from janitorial work to caregiving—hardworking people are being denied the pay they’ve rightfully earned. It’s exploitation, plain and simple—and it disproportionately targets low-wage, immigrant, and non-union workers.
📊 A 2021 FIU study found that low-wage workers in Miami-Dade and Broward counties lose over $50 million a year in unpaid wages. The impact is devastating—pushing families further into poverty and destabilizing communities.
The Problem
The Wage Theft Crisis in South Florida
Florida ranks 4th in the nation for wage theft and leads all large states in violations related to minimum wage laws. Miami-Dade County is a national hotspot, fueled by a high concentration of low-wage, immigrant workers—many of whom face retaliation or job loss for speaking up.
More than $3 million in stolen wages are reported annually in Miami-Dade, though experts agree the true number is far higher due to widespread underreporting.
Yet, instead of strengthening protections, state lawmakers have moved in the opposite direction—blocking local governments from enacting wage protection ordinances and pushing harmful bills like SB 676 and HB 541, which would allow employers to pay interns, students, and trainees as little as $6.15/hour.
Wage theft takes many forms: unpaid wages, denied breaks, off-the-clock work, unpaid overtime, and worker misclassification.
And while state enforcement is weak, unions are stepping in. Through our Co-Enforcement Program with the CORE Alliance, we are working directly with immigrant and low-wage workers to investigate abuses, recover stolen pay, and build worker power—because wage theft isn’t just illegal, it’s immoral.
What Members Are Saying
“They Thought We Wouldn’t Speak Up”
Hospital Workers in Homestead Win Back Wages
When a group of non-union hospital cleaners in Homestead were denied overtime and shorted pay during the pandemic, they turned to a local union for help. With the support of AFSCME Council 79 and the South Florida AFL-CIO, they documented pay stubs, filed formal complaints, and won a full wage recovery—plus penalties.
“We worked every day through COVID, cleaning rooms while others stayed home,” said Sofia M., one of the workers involved. “They thought we wouldn’t speak up. But we did—and we won.”
Their success inspired coworkers to begin talking about unionizing for the first time.
The Solution
As a leading voice for low-wage and marginalized workers, the South Florida AFL-CIO is taking bold action to end wage theft and expand protections. We’re mobilizing workers and allies to fight back against harmful state bills—like House Bill 609—that seek to strip local governments of wage enforcement powers.
We're also working with national partners to champion a Florida Domestic Workers’ Bill of Rights, ensuring historically excluded workers gain long-overdue protections.
On the ground, our Co-Enforcement Program with the CORE Alliance equips vulnerable workers with legal tools, training, and support to identify wage theft, educate their communities, and reclaim stolen pay—turning awareness into real accountability.
In addition, our Unions are leading the way by including strong wage recovery language in contracts, supporting local wage theft ordinances, and organizing campaigns to hold bad employers accountable. We're also working with community and legal partners to expand education, reporting access, and legal action options for workers who’ve been wronged.
And critically—we support policies that fund and empower local enforcement agencies, stop employer retaliation, and protect workers who speak up.
Strengthening Enforcement and Advancing Statewide Reform
To fight back against wage theft at scale, we are advocating to strengthen and fully fund wage theft enforcement in Miami-Dade and Monroe counties. Miami-Dade County has one of the strongest local wage theft ordinances in the country, empowering the county to investigate complaints, hold hearings, and recover stolen wages on behalf of workers—without requiring them to navigate expensive, drawn-out lawsuits.
But despite this legal framework, enforcement remains under-resourced and underutilized. We’re calling on county commissioners to invest in dedicated staff, expand outreach to vulnerable workers, and ensure timely resolution of complaints.
In Monroe County, where wage theft is especially prevalent in the hospitality and service industries, we’re working with allies to establish stronger local mechanisms for investigation and recovery—ensuring that even in isolated communities, workers aren’t left defenseless.
At the state level, we’re backing legislative efforts to enact a Florida Wage Recovery Act—a labor- and community-driven proposal to provide meaningful, enforceable protections for every worker across the state.
The proposed act would expand the legal definition of wage theft, extend deadlines for filing claims, prohibit misclassification of workers as independent contractors, and strengthen penalties for employers who repeatedly violate wage laws.
It would also fund a dedicated enforcement arm within the state to ensure that complaints are investigated—and wages recovered—swiftly and fairly.
Just as importantly, we’re demanding the state lift harmful preemption laws that block local governments from implementing stronger wage protections. Miami-Dade and Monroe counties must be allowed to lead with local solutions—not be held back by state-level inaction.
Wage theft is not a victimless crime—it’s a structural failure we have the power to fix. Through local enforcement, bold legislation, and worker-led organizing, we can end the practice of stolen wages and build an economy that honors every hour worked.
Join the Fight
This is about fairness, dignity, and economic survival.
Wage theft is a choice—and we’re choosing to stop it.
- File a Wage Theft Complaint in Miami-Dade or get help recovering stolen wages
- Join our community coalition fight back and win contracts that guarantee what you’re owed
Resources
Wage Theft Protection & Reporting Miami Workers Center
Fight Wage Theft Advocating for workers facing wage theft, the Miami Workers Center provides support for recovery and long-term solutions to labor abuses.
Report Wage Theft: Miami-Dade County Wage Theft Program
File a local complaint if you've experienced unpaid wages or illegal paycheck deductions in Miami-Dade.
Report Wage Theft: U.S. Department of Labor – Wage and Hour Division
For violations under federal law including minimum wage, overtime, and child labor protections.
Know Your Rights: Florida Wage Law Overview
Understand your rights under Florida law when it comes to minimum wage, overtime, and final paychecks.