https://www.dir.ca.gov/letf/letf.html

The California Department of Industrial Relations’ Labor Enforcement Task Force (LETF) announced that during the Fiscal Year 2017-2018 93% of businesses inspected were out of compliance with labor laws.

Also, this year the LETF assessed over $10 million in initial penalties for a number of labor law violations including failure to maintain a valid workers’ compensation insurance policy, wage theft, exposing employees to unsafe working condition, and failure to carry required licensing.

Cal/OSHA issued 26 Orders Prohibiting Use, an enforcement tool used to shut down a machine or operation that exposes employees to an immediate danger of serious injury or fatality until the hazard is corrected. The Labor Commissioner’s office issued 275 stop orders to employers with no workers’ compensation insurance coverage.

The LETF targets “bad actors” and focuses on high-risk industries that are known for abusing the rights of low-wage workers- industries like agriculture, automotive repair, construction, garment, restaurant and manufacturing. They were formed in 2012 to combat the “underground economy”.

The LETF offers educational materials for workers so they are informed of their rights, and for employers to understand their responsibilities. Visit the LETF site here for resources.

Read the press release from the DIR here.