New state labor regulations effective June 7 aim to ensure law abiding state contractors are not outbid by unscrupulous bidders who would deprive workers of basic employment rights.
These include minimum wage, overtime, workers’ compensation and a safe work environment.
The regulations fulfill the intent of Administrative Order 286, issued by Gov. Bill Walker last year.
The new regulations will ensure the state plays a positive role in the marketplace by embedding support for labor rights in the procurement process.
Incentivizing labor rights compliance has beneficial ripple effects, since most state government contractors also work in other areas of business, state labor officials said. Sustaining and strengthening labor rights enforcement also has positive economic impacts by ensuring wages stay in Alaska and recirculate in the state’s economy.
