President Obama has signed an executive order that will require federal contractors, including those in the construction industry, to disclose previous labor-law violations and give agencies more guidance on how to weigh that information when awarding contracts.

At the White House signing ceremony on July 31, Obama said, “Our tax dollars shouldn’t be going to companies that violate workplace laws, violate workers’ rights." He added, "If a company is going to receive taxpayer money, it should have safe workplaces … and should not discriminate against workers.”