4 Ways Immigrant Workers Are Protected in California

As the fifth largest supplier of food globally, California feeds the world – and the more than 140,000 immigrant workers that come to the state are essential to bringing the more than 400 different crops to the table. These migrant workers have the special skills and experience to perform the jobs that many Americans are not able or willing to do. Migrant workers in California often struggle with getting the wages, hours, and safe workplace conditions they deserve, though.

Fortunately, California laws protect immigrant workers in numerous ways.

Top 4 Ways California Protects Immigrant Workers

1. Safe Workplace Conditions

Immigrants can work in every capacity, of course, but many work in agriculture, healthcare, construction, and STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics), and working in these sectors can be dangerous. These employees must often work with large equipment, combustible materials, chemicals, extreme temperatures and animals, which can be dangerous or even deadly.

California’s Division of Occupational Safety and Health (Cal/OSHA) maintains healthy work environments by enforcing safety regulations that require protective equipment, sanitation measures, and measures to reduce exposure to hazardous materials. Cal/OSHA also calls for employee training to keep workers safe.

2. Livable Wages And Overtime Pay

While most employers pay immigrant workers fairly, some commit wage theft by paying immigrant employees less than minimum wage. Other forms of wage theft include denying meal breaks, not paying overtime, or forcing employees to work off the clock.

California law requires employers to pay migrant workers at least the state’s minimum wage. Fast food workers and healthcare workers have a higher minimum wage.

3. Access To Health Benefits

A healthy employee is a productive worker, but healthcare is expensive, and many immigrants do not have access to health insurance coverage. The Affordable Care Act (ACA) of California requires employers with 50 or more employees to offer affordable health insurance coverage.

4. Legal Protections

Immigrant workers often face discrimination and harassment in the workplace because of their immigration status, or out of retaliation for reporting discrimination or harassment. Some immigrant workers are told to speak English, even while on break, or are humiliated for speaking with an accent. 

Many immigrant workers don’t realize that California prohibits workplace discrimination and harassment. In some cases, immigrant workers are threatened with termination or deportation if they report the abuse.

Are You an Immigrant Worker? California Law Offers Some Protections! Contact Your California Employment Lawyers At D.Law to Learn More about Immigrant Rights in the Workplace.

California values all of its workers, and our state has laws that offer immigrant worker protection. If you are an immigrant worker and think you are discriminated against in your workplace because of your immigration status, contact or call D.Law. Our attorneys are experts in employment law, and we can help you exercise your rights as a worker in the Bay Area, San Diego, Fresno, Los Angeles, and other CA cities.