Florida’ Construction Industry Concerning for Workers

One of the biggest industries in South Florida is real estate. In order for real estate to thrive, there needs to be construction. And while construction is booming, there are a lot of concerns regarding safety and pay.

In a new report called Behind the Skylines: Labor Conditions in South Florida’s Commercial Construction Industry, more than 80% of construction workers surveyed said they did not have enough money to pay rent or mortgage during the previous year. More than 50% claimed they had trouble affording groceries, utilities, and medical care. Fewer than 25% had access to paid sick days and paid vacation time.

Of those who responded, the average wage was $19 an hour. Equipment operators, electricians, ironworkers, and sheetrock installers earned the highest wages on average. About 50% of laborers earned less than $15 an hour.

The survey was based on 302 construction workers who are currently building projects in Miami and Fort Lauderdale. Of those who responded, 99% were working 40 hours or more per week.

The minimum wage in Florida is $13 an hour, and these wages are deemed far too low to meet a person’s basic needs in South Florida. Construction wages have increased in the area since 2016, when the median construction wage in Miami was $14 an hour. However, the increase is still not enough to keep up with inflation, even though the living wage today is $21.26.

Perhaps this is why there is a labor shortage in the construction industry. Numerous industry groups have called attention to labor shortage in the South Florida construction industry. When you have this type of shortage, wages and working conditions should improve, but that does not appear to be happening.

On top of low pay, there are also concerns about wage theft. More than 30% of respondents claimed they do not receive overtime pay despite working more than 40 hours a week, even though it is required by law.

Florida is known for high temperatures and unfortunately, this can affect construction workers. There were months of record heat during this past summer, and despite this, 14% of survey respondents reported they were not allowed to take any breaks while on the job aside from their lunch break. While the majority of workers reported that their employer provides water, 6% reported that no water was available on the worksite. Shockingly, 25% of respondents had fainted on the job or had seen someone faint on a construction worksite.

Contact Us Today

While construction is booming, not everyone is flocking to work on construction sites in South Florida. There are many factors involved, but with low pay and safety concerns, workers are looking elsewhere.

Jobsite issues can lead to legal claims. A Florida contractor representation lawyer from Linkhorst Law Firm can help settle your case, whether in the courtroom or outside of court through mediation. To schedule a consultation with our office, call 561-626-8880 or fill out the online form.

Source:

wlrn.org/business/2024-10-17/report-sounds-alarm-about-south-floridas-construction-industry-and-its-working-conditions