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NEWS RELEASE
Release Number: 2026-76
Date: September 18, 2026

ICYMI: Child Labor Compliance Assistance Team conducts more than 500 visits in 22 California counties

FRESNO — This Summer, the Department of Industrial Relations announced the Child Labor Compliance Assistance Team (CLCAT), a new multi-department outreach pilot program focused on protecting young farmworkers and promoting safe and lawful working conditions for all agricultural workers throughout California.

CLCAT brings outreach teams directly to agricultural worksites where they make unannounced visits to speak with employers about child labor requirements and provide both workers and employers with information and educational materials.

Topics covered during these visits included issues such as workplace rights, safety, wages, work hours, heat illness prevention, retaliation protections, permits for minors and information on how to contact agencies and community organizations for assistance.

Teams were also available to answer questions and connect employers, workers, families, and advocates with available resources.

Since the original announcement in July, CLCAT has more than doubled its outreach efforts, ending the summer with 541 visits to agricultural worksites across 22 counties.

Young workers may be particularly vulnerable to workplace hazards because they are often entering the workforce for the first time and may be unfamiliar with their rights and employers’ responsibilities.

California law establishes requirements governing the types of work minors may perform, when and how long they may work, and the permits required for their employment. Young workers are also protected by workplace safety, minimum wage and retaliation laws.

This summer’s outreach served as CLCAT’s pilot phase. Participating agencies will use information gathered through this effort to guide continued outreach and support for California’s agricultural communities.

CLCAT is an initiative of the Labor and Workforce Development Agency, bringing together the Department of Industrial Relations, including the Labor Commissioner’s Office, Cal/OSHA, the Employment Development Department and the Agricultural Labor Relations Board.

California labor and workplace safety protections apply regardless of immigration status. Workers may report potential labor law violations or workplace hazards without disclosing their immigration status.

Additional information about California’s child labor laws and worker protections and Cal/OSHA’s heat illness prevention requirements is available on DIR’s website.

The Agricultural Labor Relations Board (ALRB) administers and enforces the Agricultural Labor Relations Act, which protects agricultural employees’ rights to organize and engage in collective bargaining. ALRB maintains field offices throughout California. More information and assistance are available at www.alrb.ca.gov or by calling (800) 449-3699.

The Employment Development Department (EDD) supports California’s workers, job seekers, employers and communities through benefit programs, workforce services and payroll tax administration. More information is available at www.edd.ca.gov.

LCO combats wage theft and unfair competition by investigating allegations of illegal and unfair business practices.

In 2020, the LCO launched Reaching Every Californian, a multi-pronged outreach campaign that raises awareness of basic workplace protections and builds connections with affected communities, so workers and employers understand their rights, responsibilities and LCO’s enforcement procedures.

New worker-protection laws took effect in 2026, including the Workplace Know Your Rights Act. In addition to maintaining required workplace postings, covered employers must provide an annual notice designed to proactively inform workers of their workplace rights.

Workers who have questions about labor laws enforced by the LCO can call 1-833-LCO-INFO (833-526-4636) from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

California labor laws protect workers in most industries regardless of their immigration status. Workers who file wage claims or retaliation complaints, or otherwise exercise their workplace rights, are not required to disclose their immigration status. LCO does not ask about the immigration status of individuals seeking assistance or protection under California labor law.

Workers or their family members may call LCO’s retaliation complaint investigation helpline at 855-526-7775 for assistance if they have experienced retaliation or immigration-related threats or abuse at work, or if they have been detained or deported without receiving all wages owed.

LCO is a division of the Department of Industrial Relations.

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Employers with Questions on Requirements May Contact: MakeItFair@dir.ca.gov

Cal/OSHA helps protect workers from health and safety hazards on the job in almost every workplace in California.

Workers in California are protected regardless of immigration status. Workers who have questions about safety and health in the workplace can call 833-579-0927 to speak with a live, bilingual Cal/OSHA representative between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. Complaints about workplace safety and health hazards can be filed confidentially with Cal/OSHA district offices.

Employers who have questions or need assistance with workplace health and safety programs can contact Cal/OSHA’s Consultation Services Branch at 800-963-9424, contact their local Cal/OSHA Consultation Office, or email InfoCons@dir.ca.gov.

Media Contact: Communications@dir.ca.gov, (510) 286-1161

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