Advocates push for stronger measures against wage theft

During a recent government meeting, advocates for workers' rights emphasized the urgent need for enhanced resources and support to combat wage theft in California. Key discussions centered around the enforcement of labor laws, particularly through the proposed workers' rights enforcement grant and Assembly Bill 494, which empowers prosecuting attorneys to enforce the labor code.

Mister Miller from the National Center for the Community and Unity (NCCU) highlighted the detrimental impact of wage theft on both workers and fair employers, urging the legislature to allocate necessary resources to the Labor Commissioner's Office. He proposed the addition of criminal investigators to effectively address wage theft, which he classified as a serious felony.

Daniella Urban, representing the Center for Workers' Rights and the Santa Clara County Wage Theft Coalition, echoed these sentiments, advocating for increased staffing within the Labor Commissioner's Wage Adjudication Unit. Urban stressed the importance of accessibility for vulnerable workers, noting that the current process allows individuals to report their experiences without needing extensive legal knowledge. She cautioned against focusing solely on metrics like backlog reduction, emphasizing the need to consider the real-life impact on workers seeking justice.

Urban shared insights from her experience handling wage theft cases, illustrating the complexity and time-consuming nature of these claims. She criticized the unrealistic expectations placed on deputies to resolve cases quickly, advocating for more time to investigate claims thoroughly. Furthermore, she called for legislative measures to hold employers accountable, including pre-judgment liens and mandatory attendance at settlement conferences.

The meeting concluded with a consensus on the necessity of expediting the hiring process for Labor Commissioner's Office staff and increasing salaries to attract qualified candidates. Advocates expressed their willingness to collaborate with legislators to develop effective strategies for combating wage theft in the upcoming year.