“Play Fair in Hawai’i” is the Local Campaign of the National “Construction Industry Tax Fraud Days of Action”
Honolulu, Hawai’i – In 2021, Pacific Resource Partnership announced “Play Fair in Hawai’i,” an initiative aimed at protecting Hawai’i’s working families, businesses and taxpayers from tax and other fraudulent business practices. The statewide campaign was launched in conjunction with the United Brotherhood of Carpenters campaign, “Construction Industry Tax Fraud Days of Action” and featured events and campaigns occurring across the U.S and Canada. every year, both the local and national campaigns seek to raise awareness about how tax fraud, cash payments, employee misclassification, and other non-compliant practices result in lower wages, unsafe workplaces, and less funding for the community.
Nationally, more than $8.4 billion is lost to construction industry tax fraud when unscrupulous contractors evade state, local and federal taxes by paying workers off the books or as independent contractors.
“Unfortunately, there are contractors who don’t pay their fair share and operate in the underground economy, cheating the system and their employees,” said Ron Taketa, Executive Secretary Treasurer for the Hawai’i Regional Council of Carpenters. “During the COVID-19 pandemic the loss of tax revenue to the state and the critical benefits workers are entitled to, like unemployment and medical insurance, paid family and medical leave, as well as safe working conditions for employees, was exacerbated by a lack of official oversight. Luckily, now that we have left the pandemic behind, it’s more difficult for those who seek to cheat the system to do so.”
The “Play Fair in Hawaii” website features personal stories of employees who worked for unethical employers and were not afforded the hours and pay that they were due, not to mention the jeopardy they incurred to their health and safety.
“Play Fair in Hawai’i” sheds light on a number of key compliance-related issues that have enormous impacts on the local economy:
- Tax Fraud in the Construction Industry
- Wage Theft
- Misclassification
- Employee Rights
- Health and Safety
- Licensed Contracting
- Environmental Health and Safety
- Fair Contracting
For employees who feel they may be a victim of tax or other fraudulent practices, Pacific Resource Partnership’s campaign and website encourages individuals to speak up privately. You may confidentially report any concerns through the “Play Fair in Hawai’i” website or to the U.S. Department of Labor at 1-866-487-9243, or 1-866-4-USWAGE.
More information about the initiative can be found at www.playfairhawaii.com.
About Pacific Resource Partnership
Founded in 1987, Pacific Resource Partnership is a nonprofit organization that represents the Hawai‘i Regional Council of Carpenters, the largest construction union in the state with approximately 6,000 members, in addition to more than 250 diverse contractors ranging from mom-and-pop owned businesses to national companies. Pacific Resource Partnership is the backbone of Hawai‘i’s construction industry and you’ll find us on every island, building homes and businesses, creating neighborhoods, and revitalizing communities, strengthening infrastructure, and shaping the face of things to come. In executing its vision for a better Hawai‘i, Pacific Resource Partnership focuses on “People, Relationships and Promise” – we are PRP.
Follow Pacific Resource Partnership at www.prp-hawaii.com or on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and Linkedin.