In a recent government meeting, advocates for California's janitorial workforce urged lawmakers to support Assembly Bill 2364, aimed at addressing the exploitation and health risks faced by janitors. Testimonies highlighted the severe physical and mental health consequences of high workloads, with research indicating that janitors exposed to increased workloads are twice as likely to experience anxiety or depression. The bill seeks to establish a structured process for ongoing worker input to improve working conditions, particularly for the aging workforce, where nearly 55% of janitors surveyed are over 50 years old.

Dora Silva, a janitor from Sacramento, emphasized the urgent need for better health insurance and working conditions, stating that many janitors suffer from chronic pain and injuries due to excessive workloads. Kevin Ryu, a researcher from UC Berkeley, supported the bill by presenting findings from a study that surveyed over 700 janitors, underscoring the need for legislative action to mitigate the adverse health impacts associated with their work.

However, the bill faced opposition from business representatives who argued that it could create a burdensome regulatory environment, disproportionately affecting non-union employers and potentially leading to job losses. They expressed concerns that the bill's criteria for defining reasonable workloads were overly simplistic and could lead to increased costs for businesses, particularly small ones.

The committee ultimately voted to advance AB 2364 to the appropriations committee, reflecting a growing recognition of the challenges faced by janitors and the need for legislative support to improve their working conditions.

In addition, the meeting also addressed Assembly Bill 2738, which aims to enhance enforcement of existing labor laws, particularly for live event workers. This bill seeks to empower local public prosecutors to enforce labor laws more effectively, addressing the backlog in enforcement due to chronic understaffing in state agencies. While it garnered support from labor advocates, it faced opposition from business groups concerned about the potential financial implications of mandatory attorney's fees in labor disputes.

As the committee continues to deliberate on these bills, the discussions highlight the ongoing struggle for labor rights and the need for comprehensive solutions to protect vulnerable workers in California.