Jay-Z sued for $18,000 by worker's comp board of New York

Jay-Z gambled with his employees' health and safety -- this according to a new lawsuit filed against the rapper ... by the

Workers Compensation Board of New York.

According to the suit, obtained by sources, Jay-Z failed to pay workers' compensation insurance for three months in 2009 -- and sources close to the situation say, the insurance was supposed to cover domestic employees in Jay-Z's house ... cooks, maids, drivers  etc.

The government agency sued the rapper to collect $18,000 in fines  and a court has  ordered Jay-Z to pay up.

According to the documents, it was only a brief lapse -- after the three-month period in 2009, Jay-Z got the right insurance and the problem was resolved ...minus the  outstanding $18,000 owed.

A source close to Jay-Z claims the rapper never lapsed in his workers' compensation payments  saying the $18,000 bill is the result of a clerical error that is being sorted out.    What's $18,000 to Jay anyway? 18 dollars? Better yet 18 cents.