What is the primary goal of the Davis-Bacon Act?

The primary goal of the Davis-Bacon Act is to ensure prevailing wage rates for laborers on federally funded construction projects. This legislation, enacted in 1931, mandates that contractors and subcontractors pay their workers at least the local prevailing wages and benefits for similar work in the area where the project is being performed. The intention behind the act is to protect local wage standards by preventing underbidding by contractors who might pay lower wages, thus ensuring fair compensation for laborers performing construction work on government projects. This helps to maintain labor standards and supports the economic wellbeing of workers in the construction industry.

Other options revolve around tax benefits, safety regulations, or environmental considerations, which do not align with the specific focus of the Davis-Bacon Act on wage rates for laborers.