California kicks off Labor Rights Week with $35 million investment in workers’ rights outreach

NEWS RELEASE

SACRAMENTO - As California marks Labor Rights Week, the California Department of Industrial Relations (DIR) is touting a $34.9 million investment to continue the California Workplace Outreach Project (CWOP). Through this unique partnership, the state works with community-based organizations (CBOs) that serve as trusted messengers, reaching some of California's most at-risk workers to help them understand their rights, access workplace protections and address other job-related concerns.

This funding will help continue and expand CWOP's important work, reaching even more workers throughout California, including under-resourced regions such as the Central Coast, San Joaquin Valley and Imperial County. It will support direct outreach, community events, multilingual resources and trainings across the state, helping workers understand and exercise their rights.

What DIR Director Jennifer Osborn said: "As we celebrate Labor Rights Week, we can be proud that California is a national leader in protecting workers. But rights on paper can only go as far as the workers they reach. That's why programs like CWOP matter. By partnering with organizations that workers already know and trust, we can bring critical information about workplace rights and safety directly to workers who are often most at risk."

CWOP's trusted-messenger model empowers community-based organizations to share information through individuals well connected within the community. Because these organizations are rooted in the communities they serve, they can help reach workers who may face barriers, such as fear or misinformation, to accessing state resources. Addressing these barriers for the most at-risk workers helps support safe workplaces for all Californians and a level playing field for law-abiding employers.

Since its launch in 2021, CWOP has grown from a pandemic-response initiative involving 61 community organizations into a statewide network of more than 100 grantees. The program has reached more than 2 million workers and employers since its inception, with outreach and education provided in 42 languages, including 11 Indigenous languages.

In previous years, CWOP's community-based organizations have met workers where they are through door-to-door outreach, phone banking, resource fairs, trainings and events in high-traffic community locations. Following the devastating Los Angeles wildfires, CWOP partners were on the ground providing workers employed in the cleanup and rebuilding of fire-affected areas with information about workplace hazards, wage theft and immigrant-worker protections. During periods of extreme heat, grantees have also helped workers understand California's heat illness prevention requirements and the steps needed to stay safe on the job.

DIR joined the Consulate General of Mexico in San Francisco today for a Labor Rights Week kickoff event.

Throughout Labor Rights Week, held this year from August 31 through September 4, representatives from DIR and its divisions, including Cal/OSHA, the Labor Commissioner's Office and the Division of Workers' Compensation, will join Mexican consulates for multiple virtual and in-person events across California, including in San Francisco, Los Angeles, San Diego and Sacramento, under this year's theme, "Your Rights Protect and Support You."

Labor Rights Week is a national observance to highlight the importance of protecting all workers. Each year, Mexican consulates, who are trusted partners for many workers across California and the United States, work with the U.S. Department of Labor, state labor agencies and community partners to host events across the country.

About Cal/OSHA

Cal/OSHA helps protect workers from health and safety hazards in almost every workplace in California.

Workers in California are protected regardless of immigration status. Workers with questions about workplace safety and health can call 833-579-0927 to speak with a bilingual Cal/OSHA representative from 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. Workplace safety and health complaints may be filed confidentially with Cal/OSHA district offices.

Employers with questions or those needing assistance with workplace health and safety programs can contact Cal/OSHA's Consultation Services Branch at 800-963-9424, contact a local Cal/OSHA Consultation Office, or email [email protected].

About the Labor Commissioner's Office

LCO combats wage theft and unfair competition by investigating allegations of illegal and unfair business practices.

In 2020, LCO launched "Reaching Every Californian," an outreach campaign that helps workers and employers understand workplace protections, legal obligations and the Labor Commissioner's enforcement procedures.

Employers with questions about labor law requirements may contactLCO's Business Engagement Program at [email protected]. The program promotes lawful business practices and helps employers compete on a level playing field.

Workers with questions about labor laws enforced by LCO can call 1-833-LCO-INFO (833-526-4636) from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Californians can follow the Labor Commissioner on Facebook , Instagram and X .

About the Division of Workers' Compensation

DWC monitors the administration of workers' compensation claims to help ensure that the system provides benefits to workers who suffer job-related injuries or illnesses.
Workers who are injured or become ill because of their jobs may be entitled to workers' compensation benefits, including medical care, partial wage replacement and other benefits. When disputes arise over workers' compensation benefits, DWC provides judicial services to resolve them.

Workers and employers with questions about workers' compensation benefits or employer obligations under California law may contact DWC's Information and Assistance Unit at 1-800-736-7401 during business hours Monday through Friday. DWC also provides workshops, fact sheets, guides for injured workers and other reference materials.

Media Contact: [email protected], (510) 286-1161