Activism

Alameda County D.A.’s Office Takes Aggressive Approach Combating Worker Exploitation and Labor Trafficking

 There are estimated to be more than 27.6 million people adults and children — subjected to human trafficking around the world, including in the United States, and right here in Alameda County. iStock photo by Jacob Wackerhausen.

Published

1 year ago

January 18, 2025

Oakland Post

January is National Human Trafficking Prevention Month

Special to The Post

In honor of National Human Trafficking Prevention Month, the Alameda County District Attorney’s Office announces aggressive efforts to combat worker exploitation and labor trafficking.

Thanks to a $335,935 grant awarded last year by the California Department of Industrial Relations, the Workers’ Rights Enforcement Grant Program strengthens investigation and prosecution efforts in Alameda County against wage theft and forced labor.

The DA’s Office also partnered with the U.S. Department of Labor to improve compliance through joint efforts, including shared training, investigations, and information. They also collaborate with unions, service providers, schools, and churches to combat worker exploitation.

These efforts have led to investigations in industries like construction, massage therapy, and street vending. The DA’s office trains service providers and high school students on wage theft, offering strategies to address and combat these practices and empowering the community to ensure fair compensation.

More than 20 years ago, the Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000 (TVPA) enshrined the United States’ commitment to combatting human trafficking domestically and internationally.

Human trafficking includes both forced labor and sex trafficking.

It not only represents a threat to international peace and security but also undermines the rule of law, robs millions of their dignity and freedom, enriches transnational criminals and terrorists, and threatens public safety and national security everywhere.

There are estimated to be more than 27.6 million people adults and children — subjected to human trafficking around the world, including in the United States, and right here in Alameda County.

In California, wage theft is a serious problem, with workers being cheated out of an estimated $2 billion in stolen wages every year. Wage theft happens anytime an employer fails to pay an employee the compensation they are owed.

Wage theft can happen in several ways, including underpaying wages, failure to pay overtime, failure to provide rest and meal breaks or sick leave. Any wage theft exceeding $950 is felony grand theft, punishable by prison and fines.

The Alameda County District Attorney’s media relations department is the source of this story.