Document Type
Research Report
Publication Date
2026
Abstract
Wage theft is a widespread form of labor exploitation that disproportionately affects immigrant and other vulnerable workers. This report examines the scope and impact of wage theft in Massachusetts by analyzing case data from the Brazilian Worker Center (BWC) alongside wage and labor enforcement data from the Massachusetts Attorney General’s Office (AGO). The analysis demonstrates how wage theft affects immigrant workers across industries, with particularly high numbers of cases in construction, cleaning, and hospitality. The data also reveal significant gaps in the reporting and enforcement of wage violations, particularly among domestic workers, whose cases are likely substantially underrepresented in available data.
The report draws on a mixed-methods casework approach that combines quantitative analysis with the experiences and organizational knowledge of the BWC. BWC data were collected through direct engagement with workers seeking assistance with wage violations. Between 2019 and 2025, the BWC documented 810 cases involving more than $4.9 million in claimed unpaid wages. These data were analyzed to identify patterns in wage theft across industries and over time, including the amounts claimed and recovered. The analysis is complemented by AGO enforcement data from 2021 to 2025, providing a broader view of wage violations identified and addressed through state enforcement mechanisms.
By bringing together community-based case data, state enforcement data, and the experiences of immigrant workers, this report highlights both the prevalence of wage theft, and the significant barriers workers face in seeking recovery. The findings underscore the importance of community-based organizations in identifying wage violations and connecting workers to resources, while also revealing gaps in enforcement, access to remedies, and worker retention throughout the recovery process. The report concludes with community-informed best practices and policy recommendations to strengthen enforcement, improve access to wage recovery, and address the systemic conditions that allow wage theft to persist.
Community Engaged/Serving
Part of the UMass Boston Community-Engaged Teaching, Research, and Service Series. //scholarworks.umb.edu/engage
Recommended Citation
Simoes, Andre; Reason, Lenita; and Brinkerhoff, Christina Araujo, "Understanding Wage Theft: Beyond the Numbers Through Community Practice, Lived Experience, and Research" (2026). Gastón Institute Publications. 414.
https://scholarworks.umb.edu/gaston_pubs/414
Comments
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