Press Release  Healey-Driscoll Administration Relaunches the Council on the Underground Economy to Strengthen Workplace Protections

BOSTON — The Healey-Driscoll Administration today announced eight new appointments to the Council on the Underground Economy (CUE). The CUE’s mission is to eliminate employer fraud and employee misclassification by engaging in coordinated enforcement actions and investigations between state and federal agencies.  

“Our administration is committed to supporting our workforce, ensuring fair treatment for all Massachusetts workers, and creating a level playing field for all businesses,” said Governor Maura Healey. “Revitalizing this council will be vital in our efforts, with state and federal partners, to protect our workers and businesses that follow the law and play by the rules.” 

“The CUE is the epitome of working collaboratively to protect and benefit our residents and businesses,” said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll. “Refocusing the CUE and bringing key stakeholders into the fold, including labor, government, and the business community, will not only protect our workers but will strengthen the state’s competitiveness.” 

The CUE’s primary responsibility is to coordinate joint efforts to combat the underground economy and employee misclassification, including efforts to foster compliance with the law by educating business owners and employees about applicable requirements; conducting targeted investigations and enforcement actions against violators; and protecting the health, safety, and benefits of workers and restoring competitive equality for law-abiding businesses. The Healey-Driscoll Administration has maintained daily activity of the CUE’s tipline, leading to opportunities for coordination and action by state and federal agencies. The reformation of the council emphasizes the prioritization of its mission across state agencies and the protection of workers and law-abiding businesses in Massachusetts. In 2023, alone, activity from the CUE tipline and joint agency coordination led to over $26.7 million recouped. 

“The Council on the Underground Economy plays a key role to ensure a level-playing field among employers combined with the intent to best protect Massachusetts workers,” said Secretary of Labor and Workforce Development Lauren Jones. “I look forward to chairing the Council, working collaboratively with our partners in labor, business, and across state and federal government to elevate the excellent work of investigators and the use of the tipline to ensure compliance with the law.” 

Residents and employers can access the CUE tipline by calling 877-96-LABOR (877-965-2267) or emailing CUETIPS@Mass.gov. By pursuing tips and engaging in preventative outreach, the goal is to bring businesses into compliance with Massachusetts laws and tax requirements. 

Moving forward, the CUE will convene quarterly council meetings in addition to the continued regular engagement across agencies to coordinate joint efforts in combatting the underground economy and employee misclassification among other activity.  

Council on the Underground Economy Designees 

The Council on the Underground Economy’s council will include designees from the following agencies: 

• Secretary Lauren Jones (Chair), Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development
• Executive Office of Public Safety
• Executive Office of Veterans Services
• Department of Unemployment Assistance
• Department of Family and Medical Leave
• Department of Industrial Accidents
• Department of Labor Standards
• Department of Economic Research
• Department of Revenue
• Attorney General’s Office Fair Labor Division
• Division of Occupational Licensure  
• Massachusetts Insurance Fraud Bureau
• Massachusetts Office for Refugees and Immigrants  
• Division of Capital Asset, Management and Maintenance 
• Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination 
• Office of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulation
• Governor’s Council to Address Sexual Assault, Domestic Violence, and Human Trafficking
• Office of Access and Opportunity   
   

Statements of Support 

Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbell:
“My office is committed to protecting workers and responsible businesses and we look forward to working with a revitalized Council on the Underground Economy to strengthen the state's economy.” 

Chrissy Lynch, President and CEO of the Massachusetts AFL-CIO: 
“The work done by the Council on the Underground Economy is vital to protect Massachusetts workers from the growing problems of employee misclassification and wage theft. The CUE helps to ensure safe and healthy working environments by making workers, businesses, and communities aware of the rights and obligations of employers and holding bad actors accountable. The Massachusetts AFL-CIO applauds Governor Healey for relaunching the CUE and we look forward to our continued partnership in the fight for Massachusetts workers.”  

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