A recent report highlights the rampant wage theft and labor violations experienced by day laborers in Oakland. The study, conducted by the National Day Laborer Organizing Network, indicates that many laborers opt not to report theft due to fear of retaliation, including threats of immigration enforcement. The survey revealed an alarming trend where workers often face partial payments or delayed wages, resulting in an average theft of over $1,300 within just two months. Advocates at a rally in front of Oakland City Hall emphasized the plight of these workers who feel trapped between keeping their job or risking financial loss.
Fewer than a dozen advocates gathered before Oakland City Hall to share their findings on Thursday. The report focused on Oakland but stemmed from a statewide survey of day laborers.
Sometimes, employers pay a portion of the promised wage, but delay full payment to string along the worker. The day laborer has a choice: 'Do I walk away from this job or do I stay with it with the hopes of recovering those wages?'
Surveyed workers reported that the average theft amount in the previous two months was over $1,300. The high figure is due in part to the fact that workers stay with a job hoping employers will pay out.
It's not uncommon for employers to threaten to report workers to immigration authorities to get away with wage theft. This concern has increased with rising immigration enforcement actions.
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