Wage theft comes in many forms. It can mean failing to pay workers minimum wage or overtime required by law, or forcing them to work off the clock or during breaks.

But why does it happen more frequently in LA? This UCLA study helps shed some light. https://www.labor.ucla.edu/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/LAwagetheft.pdf
The UCLA study found that while wage theft in LA touches all occupations, two stood out: child care workers and garment workers.

Women are also targeted more frequently than men, and immigrants more than US-born workers.
LA passed a law in 2015 to combat wage theft, establishing the Office of Wage Standards.

Since 2016, the office has recovered about $382K in stolen wages. But that’s a drop in the bucket compared to the more than $1 billion LA's workers lose each year.
https://wagesla.lacity.org/sites/g/files/wph471/f/Milestone-Report-2020-04-16.pdf
Wage theft enforcement is complicated: workers are often afraid to speak up, due to immigration status or fear of retribution.

But the Investigation and Compliance Section of LA’s Office of Wage Standards mostly works by reacting to complaints. What about unreported violations?
One thing that would help workers feel safer about reporting wage theft? A citywide Municipal ID program, which I've advocated for in my immigration platform.

Cities like New York and Chicago have already implemented ID programs. LA should follow suit. https://www.nithyaforthecity.com/platform/immigration/
Another department we could look to to make an even greater impact on wage theft is the City Attorney’s office.

What if we shifted resources from prosecuting misdemeanor crimes, which often target low-income residents, and devoted them instead to protecting vulnerable workers?
LA could be doing so much more for its low-wage workers to stop the rampant wage theft that impedes their ability to thrive in this city.

But we won’t get there until we start reimagining city government as the first line of defense in protecting the most vulnerable among us.
Have you ever been a victim of wage theft?

If so, how did you respond? What would have helped you? Share your stories in the replies.
You can follow @nithyavraman.
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