Public WorksQuestion 617 of 690
Under Labor Code §1775, what is the maximum statutory penalty per worker per day for a contractor's willful underpayment of prevailing wages on a public works project?
a.Up to $200 per worker per calendar day, plus payment of the wage differential
b.$50 per worker per day, capped at $5,000 per project
c.10% of the contract price, regardless of number of workers affected
d.Triple the underpaid wages, payable to the worker only
Explanation
Labor Code §1775(a) authorizes the Labor Commissioner to assess a civil penalty of up to $200 per worker per calendar day for each prevailing-wage violation, in addition to the wage differential owed to the worker. The amount is set considering the gravity of the offense and prior history; willful or repeat violators face the maximum. Option B understates the cap and adds a non-existent project ceiling. The 10%-of-contract figure is not in §1775. Treble damages are a Labor Code §218.6/§1194.2 concept for unpaid wages and liquidated damages generally, not the §1775 prevailing-wage penalty.
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