Worker Protection Advisory Committee

Overview

The Worker Protection Advisory Committee was established by the City Council through the adoption of the Wage Theft Ordinance to safeguard workers' rights and ensure accountability for wage-related violations in Framingham. The Committee provides oversight, guidance, and recommendations to improve enforcement and education around wage theft issues in the City.

Membership

The Committee is composed of seven members, appointed only by the City Council and nominated by one of the qualifying organizations: Framingham Business Association, MetroWest Chamber of Commerce, Central Massachusetts AFL-CIO, New England Council of Carpenters, Framingham-Newton Traders, MetroWest Worker Center. Members serve staggered initial terms of one (1), two (2), or three (3) years. Subsequent appointments are for three-year terms.

Applicants must provide a letter of nomination from the qualifying organization upon their submission of application.

To apply please click here Version Options Worker Protection Advisory Committee Headline. 

Note: The Committee membership structure was updated under City Council Order 2024-023-002.

Purpose & Duties

The Committee is responsible for:

• Reviewing wage theft and worker protection complaints.
• Advising the City Council on the implementation and effectiveness of the Wage Theft Ordinance.
• Offering education, guidance, and referrals to affected workers.
• Coordinating with relevant city and state entities to ensure appropriate response and enforcement.

The Committee meets at least once per month and publishes an annual report detailing all complaints, actions taken, and known outcomes, including:

• Civil/criminal judgments
• Administrative citations or debarments
• Final orders issued under M.G.L. c. 149 and M.G.L. c. 151

Officers

The Committee elects from its members a Chair, Vice-Chair, and Clerk:

• Chair: Presides over meetings.
• Clerk: Receives wage theft complaints from various agencies or members and coordinates responses.

Complaint Handling

Any City department that receives notification of a wage theft complaint must immediately forward it to the Committee. Upon receiving a complaint, the Committee is responsible for notifying:

• Chief Procurement Officer
• Licensing Commission
• Framingham City Council
• Massachusetts Committee on the Underground Economy (CUE)
• Office of the Attorney General

If the complaint is related to work at a site receiving tax relief (e.g., TIF or HDIP agreements), the Committee must also notify the Economic Assistance Coordinating Council (EACC).

State & Federal Coordination

Each year, a Committee representative will meet with both the Massachusetts Attorney General’s Office and the Secretary of Labor and Workforce Development to:

• Discuss worker complaints in Framingham.
• Coordinate efforts to prevent and address wage theft.