What is the purpose of the Davis-Bacon Act in labor law?

The purpose of the Davis-Bacon Act in labor law is to ensure that contractors and subcontractors, performing construction work on projects funded by the United States government, pay their laborers and mechanics a fair prevailing wage. The act was passed in 1931 by Congress, and is named after two U.S. representatives, James J. Davis and Robert Bacon, who sponsored the bill. This act covers all construction, alterations and/or repairs of publicly funded projects which includes buildings, roads, bridges, and other public works. The Davis-Bacon Act requires contractors to pay their employees the same wage as specified in the local prevailing wage rate. The wage rate is based on the wages, hours, and work conditions that are found by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division as the normal for the locality and trade involved. This wage rate applies to the majority of laborers and mechanics that perform specific types of work. It also provides additional protections for the workers, including payment of medical expenses, safe working conditions, and disability insurance. The purpose of the Davis-Bacon Act is to protect both the workers and the public interest by creating a fair wage structure for workers on government projects throughout the United States. By setting a minimum wage rate for these workers and establishing standards for work hours, the Act helps ensure that laborers and mechanics are being paid fairly for their work. This in turn fosters an equitable labor market and prevents employers from taking advantage of workers, especially those from marginalized backgrounds.

What is the purpose of the Davis-Bacon Act in labor law?

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