Workers’ Rights Enforcement Grant Money Distributed to Prosecutors’ Offices Across the State

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August 15, 2025

Sixteen prosecutors’ offices across California are set to share $8.55 million in grant money from the California Labor Commissioner’s Office earmarked for workers’ rights enforcement.  According to a recent Department of Industrial Relations press release, the purpose of the grant program is to support local efforts to combat wage theft and other labor violations by providing critical funding to hold lawbreaking employers accountable for breaking the law.

Some of the public prosecutorial offices set to receive funding include Alameda County, Contra Costa County, the City of Oakland, the City of San Francisco, San Francisco County, San Mateo County, Santa Clara County and Sonoma County.

In July 2023, per Assembly Bill102, the state of California appropriated $18 million to the Department of Industrial Relations (DIR) to implement a Workers’ Rights Enforcement Grant Program. The California Labor Commissioner’s Office (LCO) administers this grant. The grant funds are to be used to defray costs expended on state labor law enforcement and serve the public purpose to assist workers in combatting wage theft, prevent unfair competition, and protect state revenue. Activities may include evidence gathering, investigations, coordination with community organizations and law enforcement entities, criminal and/or civil prosecutions, resolutions, appeals, and settlements. This marks the second round of grant funding, following the initial $8.55 million awarded in 2024.

Employers should be aware that in addition to the Labor Commissioner’s Office, local prosecutors may be investigating labor violations in their respective jurisdictions with this added funding.

Employers with questions on requirements are invited to contact: [email protected]

And as always for help with compliance and any other labor law issues, Rosasco Law Group is always just a phone call away!