The California state Department of Industrial Relations’ (DIR’s) Labor Enforcement Task Force (LETF) says it is leading a new initiative to inspect publicly funded construction sites to ensure employers provide workers’ compensation insurance and follow labor laws, including applicable prevailing wage laws, skilled and trained workforce requirements, workplace health and safety requirements, and apprenticeship standards.
The enforcement effort includes teams from DIR’s Divisions of Occupational Safety and Health (Cal/OSHA), and Labor Standards Enforcement (Labor Commissioner’s Office) in collaboration with other enforcement partners, LETF said in a Jan. 26 statement.
“All workers employed on qualifying public works projects must be paid the prevailing wage determined by the Director of the Department of Industrial Relations (DIR), according to the type of work performed and location of the project,” the statement says. “Failure to comply with public works requirements can result in citations for recovered wages, civil penalties, criminal prosecution or both.”
Those with complaints or leads on labor law violations at publicly-funded construction projects are invited to complete one of the following complaint forms:
- Worker Complaint form for workers on public works projects.
- Public Complaint form for others wishing to report a public works complaint.
LETF s a coalition of California State government enforcement agencies, including Cal/OSHA, Labor Commissioner’s Office, and Contractors State License Board,” that work together and in partnership with local agencies to combat the underground economy.”
“In this joint effort, information and resources are shared to ensure workers are paid properly and have safe work conditions and honest, law-abiding businesses have the opportunity for healthy competition,” the news release says.
More information on how to file a complaint is posted online. For questions please contact LETF via email at letf@dir.ca.gov, or by calling (855) 297-5322.
