NJDOL Issues Stop-Work Order to Kearny Contractor on Edison Public Library Project
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 16, 2025
TRENTON – Investigators from the New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development’s (NJDOL) Division of Wage and Hour Compliance issued the following stop-work order on October 14, 2025:
Employer: Portugal In America Construction Inc. of Kearny, N.J. (subcontractor)
Work Location: Edison Public Library – North Branch, 777 Grove Avenue, Edison, N.J.
Nature of Work: Concrete work
Category: Public Works Construction
Details: Subcontractor Portugal In America Construction Inc. was hired to the project by primary contractor Pal-Pro Builders LLC of Totowa, N.J.
Violations: Failure to pay prevailing wage; failure to keep accurate certified payrolls; no certified payrolls provided to the contracting public body; unpaid wages/late payment; obstruction/hindering of the investigation; no notification for Earned Sick Leave; and no records for Earned Sick Leave.
Workers Affected: 8
NJDOL has issued 208 stop-work orders since these powers were expanded in July 2019.
Stop-work orders are initiated by NJDOL to halt work being performed in a manner that exploits workers, or is otherwise noncompliant with state laws and regulations. An employer may appeal a stop-work order, in which case NJDOL has seven days to schedule a hearing.
NJDOL continues to monitor locations where stop-work orders have been issued, and can assess civil penalties of $5,000 per day against an employer conducting business in violation of the order. The stop-work order may be lifted if and when any remaining back wages and penalties have been paid and all related issues have been resolved.
NJDOL and its partners at the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs and the New Jersey Department of Education reminding local governments and boards of education of their responsibilities under the New Jersey Prevailing Wage Act.
NJDOL maintains a that should be consulted by any government agency or entity before hiring for a public works project. Doing so can help avoid unnecessary project delays and extra costs to businesses, schools, government entities and taxpayers. The list contains thousands of businesses, and is searchable by name, address, registration date, and certificate number.
In addition, registered public works contractors are required to participate in Registered Apprenticeship programs, which ensures that public funds contribute to the training of New Jersey workers in the construction sector.
For more information on worker benefits and protections, please visit myworkrights.nj.gov.