Findings; purpose.
Minneapolis Code of Ordinances § 40.510
in effect40.510. - Findings; purpose.
The city council makes the following findings:
(a) As a home rule charter city, Minneapolis has broad authority through its police powers to enact regulations to further the public health, safety, and general welfare.
(b) Research shows that nearly half of hourly workers in the city are directly affected by the underpayment or nonpayment of wages. The most vulnerable low wage workers are the most likely to be affected by wage theft. Wage theft is also one of the key indicators of labor trafficking. Labor trafficking victims have often reported not being paid what was promised, not being paid at all, or deduction of unexplainable charges from their wages. A national study reported at least eighty (80) percent of labor trafficking victims experienced some form of wage theft—denial of what was promised or pay all together.
(c) Eliminating and preventing the theft of wages earned by persons working within the city promotes the public health and the general welfare by increasing economic security and dignity, increasing employees' ability to care for themselves and their families, and addressing the injustice employees experience when they do not receive the wages they have earned.
(d) Research shows that wage theft disproportionately affects low wage workers of color. Through its adopted goal of "One Minneapolis," the city has recognized that income inequality is one of the most pressing issues facing the city. The city can reduce these economic disparities by working to prevent and end wage theft, and by doing so can help to prevent labor trafficking, which disproportionately impacts communities of color.
(e) Eliminating wage theft also promotes business and economic development through the elimination of unfair economic competition by unscrupulous businesses that do not pay or underpay their employees.
(f) Eliminating wage theft also diminishes the burden imposed on the public when employees of unscrupulous businesses are forced to rely on public assistance due to underpayment or nonpayment of wages that have been earned.
(g) For all of these reasons, it is the policy of the city and the purpose of this ordinance to eliminate and prevent wage theft. (Ord. No. 2019-031, § 3, 8-8-19, eff. 1-1-2020)
Source: City of Minneapolis, Minnesota, Code of Ordinances, City Charter and Park and Recreation Board Code of Ordinances (Municode Library, library.municode.com)URL: https://library.municode.com/mn/minneapolis/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=COOR_TIT2AD_CH40WORE_ARTVWATHPR_40.510FIPUFetched: 11/2/2026