SB 5685 - DIGEST

     Finds that over twenty-five thousand state residents per year file cases and complaints with the department of labor and industries alleging they have been denied payment for work they performed.  Each month an average of over one million dollars in back wages is sought by workers.

     Finds that the Washington state minimum wage law and wage claim laws do not require payment of interest on back wages owed and do not authorize adequate penalties against violators.  To improve compliance, the department of labor and industries should be allowed to assess interest on back wages and impose civil penalties against employers who are found to be not in compliance with chapters 49.46 and 49.48 RCW.