Public systems and subcontracting chains rely on exploited labor

An investigation into Alaska’s Juneau ferry system found incarcerated workers performing essential laundry labor for approximately $1.10–$1.65 per hour, raising questions about coercion, rehabilitation, reentry, wage standards, and public-service subsidies. Separately, a Washington, D.C., settlement recovered $1.7 million for roughly 500 misclassified construction workers and imposed subcontractor-auditing requirements; international analysis reinforces how misclassification and informality can block social-security rights.