State Report: Over $420K in Unpaid Wages Owed to Maine Workers

Hundreds of workers across Maine didn’t get the pay they were owed last year and state officials say they’re trying to tighten up the system to make sure that changes.

According to a new annual report from the Maine Department of Labor, more than 1,400 workers were owed over $420,000 in unpaid wages after filing complaints that their paychecks came up short.

Under state law, workers who believe they’ve been underpaid can file a complaint, triggering an investigation. Officials say in many cases, violations aren’t intentional, WGME reported.

Kate Burkhart, who oversees the Bureau of Labor Standards, says most issues come down to confusion, especially among smaller businesses.

“It’s not deliberate or bad faith, often it’s a mom-and-pop shop that just missed a rule,” Burkhart said.

WGME explained that last year, reporting uncovered a major gap: the state could confirm violations but couldn’t always confirm whether workers actually got their money. Officials say they’ve since rolled out new “strategic enforcement” efforts to track cases more closely, require proof of payment in settlements, and work with the Attorney General’s Office on serious violations.

The industries seeing the most wage complaints? Hospitality, construction, and health care.

Meanwhile, lawmakers in Augusta are considering a bill that would allow the state to seize business assets if companies refuse to resolve wage violations.

State officials say the goal is simple, make sure workers are paid what they’re owed, as quickly as possible.