chanel
Silver Member
Judicial Watch investigation has uncovered a scandal behind the Department of Labors (DOL) wasteful, bilingual smartphone app to help hourly workers stand up for their rights and file complaints against employers.
The first-of-its-kind app was announced by the agency in May as an innovative electronic timesheet to help employees independently track the hours they work and determine the wages they are owed. Available in English and Spanish, the app was created to help empower workers to understand and stand up for their rights when employers have denied their hard-earned pay," according to Obama Labor Secretary Hilda Solis.
In October JW launched a probe into this questionable use of taxpayer dollars by requesting public records from the DOL relating to the smartphone app. The records reveal that the agency awarded a noncompetitive contract intended for socially and economically disadvantaged businessesto a former DOL official who owns a profitable company called Cascades Technologies Inc.
The owner of Cascades Technologies, Alfredo Casta, is a former information technology chief at the DOL, according to records obtained by JW. His company has 87 employees and takes in nearly $10 million in revenue. That means it would not qualify for a noncompetitive government contract, which is strictly reserved for firms owned and controlled at least 51% by socially and economically disadvantaged individuals.
The agency admits not having any data establishing a need to develop this app. In other words, a politically-connected entrepreneur needed to increase his profits.
Judicial Watch Uncovers DOL Smartphone App Scandal | Judicial Watch
Another day. Another scandal.
Isn't it ironic that poor, exploited, English-impaired workers own smartphones?