Overview

Los Angeles County is taking significant steps to combat wage theft, which is estimated to cost workers between $26 million and $28 million weekly. A motion introduced by Supervisor Holly J. Mitchell and co-authored by Supervisor Hilda L. Solis aims to enhance the county's enforcement capabilities through proactive measures.

The initiative will focus on collaborating with worker centers and community organizations to identify and address wage theft issues before they are reported by individual workers.

Key details

  • The motion was introduced on May 5, 2023.
  • It directs the Department of Consumer and Business Affairs (DCBA) to expand its Office of Labor Equity into a proactive enforcement operation.
  • The initiative will include creating a public-facing dashboard to track wage theft cases.
  • It aims to focus on low-wage industries that have the highest rates of violations.
  • The action follows the Board's proclamation of May 1 as International Workers' Day in Los Angeles County.
  • Currently, the hourly minimum wage in unincorporated areas, including Altadena, will increase from $17.81 to $18.47 on July 1, 2023.
  • Pasadena's minimum wage will rise from $18.04 to $18.57 on the same date.
  • The motion expands the Office of Labor Equity's authority to collect fines for violations and strengthens its ability to recover unpaid wages.
  • Enforcement partners will include various county departments, labor unions, and worker centers.
  • The DCBA has been enforcing worker protections since 1976 and is now in its 50th year of operation.
  • The Office of Labor Equity administers multiple ordinances beyond minimum wage, including the Hotel Worker Protection Ordinance and the Fair Workweek Ordinance.
  • Rafael Carbajal, director of DCBA, emphasized the importance of fair pay for all workers in LA County.

Context

This initiative reflects a broader commitment by the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors to enhance worker protections and ensure that laws regarding fair pay are effectively enforced.

What happens next

The DCBA will begin implementing the expanded enforcement measures, collaborating with various stakeholders to address wage theft proactively.

What we don't know yet

Details regarding specific timelines for the implementation of the dashboard and the exact methods of collaboration with worker centers and community organizations have not been confirmed.