California allocates $25 million for worker safety education

California officials have announced $25 million in funding to improve worker safety in the wake of recent fires. The funds will help organizations educate workers about their rights and safety measures during cleanup and rebuilding efforts. A significant portion of the funding, $6 million, will support organizations in the Los Angeles area. This includes 89 community groups across the state, with 21 located in Los Angeles. The program is part of the California Workplace Outreach Project, which began in 2021 to address COVID-19-related workplace risks. California Labor Secretary Steward Knox stated that the program uses trusted local organizations to reach workers directly. There is also a possibility of renewing this funding for another year, with a total of $49 million planned over two years. Many workers face hazards while cleaning fire-damaged properties, which may contain harmful waste and chemicals. Immigrant workers, who often lost jobs due to the fires, might take on risky cleanup jobs without adequate training or equipment. Advocates highlight problems such as wage theft and discrimination that these low-wage workers may encounter. Nancy Zuniga, a health program manager at the Instituto de Educación Popular del Sur de California (IDEPSCA), emphasized the need for outreach to inform workers of their rights. Past research by IDEPSCA after the 2018 Woolsey fire indicated that many domestic workers lost their jobs and faced ongoing challenges related to their work and financial stability. Experts from UC Berkeley point out that many workers distrust government entities, making community partnerships vital to address workplace issues effectively. California Labor Commissioner Lilia Garcia-Brower stressed that community outreach is essential for enforcement and worker engagement.