Additionally, the agencies may use their civil enforcement authority to challenge unilateral anticompetitive conduct by employers that harms competition in a labor market.
FTC, DOJ maintain competition policy even during a crisis
In a joint statement, FTC Chairman Joe Simons said, “Many American workers are under a tremendous amount of stress because of COVID-19, and that includes essential workers and first responders. We will not stand for any collusion among employers that would deprive workers of competitive compensation for their hard work.”
On the other hand, DOJ Antitrust Division Assistant Attorney General Makan Delrahim, said, “The Antitrust Division will not tolerate companies and individuals who use COVID-19 to harm competition that cheats payroll and non-payroll workers…Even in times of crisis; we choose a policy of competition over collusion. The Division will use its enforcement authority to ensure that companies and individuals who distort the free market for labor are held to account.”
