Prevailing Wage, Essay Example

The Davis-Bacon Act relates to the relationship between contractors or subcontractors and their laborers. The Act clearly states and expects contractors or subcontractors to pay their laborers’ wages an amount equal or more than that of the workers in the surrounding areas. In addition, the Davis-Bacon Act expects the contractors and subcontractors to provide their employees with the full benefits stated in their work contracts. As much as the law seems to cater for the laborers, the contractors and subcontractors do dishonor the Davis-Bacon Act. For instance, some contractors and subcontractors pay their workers less wages than the standard pay prevailing in the local area. In turn, the laborers do not enjoy full benefits of working in the area with less pay as compared to the rest of the workers in the area. Some of the contractors have been reported of altering payroll records to cover up the underpayments they make to their workers. In turn, this is unethical and uncalled for since the law expects the contractors to pay their laborers at a standard local fee.

When conducting a standard wage and salary survey, it is necessary to start by identifying the area’s standard pay for the laborers. As such, the person conducting the survey gains a clear picture of the standard pay to expect in the area. The next step is to make site visitation to the areas of interest to get the true details about the amount of wages. Therefore, it is necessary to acquire the information from both the workers and contractors. Once the survey is completed, the person in charge reconciles the report and compares all the wages to determine whether the contractors oblige to the law or not.