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Workers’ rights

Despite many policy wins led by worker organizers and unions, exploitation of workers with low wages is rampant. But, local governments have the power to enforce pro-worker laws already on the books and collaborate with their communities to ensure fair wages, safe working conditions, and access to key resources.
collage with a young blue collar man in work clothes holding a stack of boxes. sign behind him reads 'worker rights are human rights'

When workers are treated with dignity, paid a livable wage, and work in safe conditions, communities thrive and the economy strengthens for everyone. Yet, many workers in the U.S. face an uphill battle in a system that places profits over people.

Workers with low wages lose more than $50 billion annually to wage theft — more than any other kind of theft combined. Most workers are not trained — nor do they have the resources and advocates needed — to identify wage theft and navigate complicated systems in order to get their stolen wages.

With local governments and movement leaders, Public Rights Project files cases that advance economic security, safety, and dignity for working people across industries nationwide.

Committed to using government power for good
Committed to using government power for good
Committed to using government power for good
Committed to using government power for good
Committed to using government power for good
young woman working in a coffee shop with a mask on

How we work

Local government officials need additional capacity, training, and immediate, nimble legal support to protect workers’ rights. We have solutions.

Litigation: We provide direct legal representation to local governments in cases where state leaders work to strip power from communities.

Training: We provide training that prepares local government officials with the skills to be able to litigate effectively — either with us or on their own.

Convenings: We bring local government officials together to foster collaboration, address civil rights challenges, and develop actionable solutions.

Storytelling: We share stories of local officials standing up for rights protection and pushing back against power grabs by state officials.

What we do

Our impact

Since our founding in 2017, we’ve helped to advance workers’ rights and recovered millions of dollars for workers. We partner with local governments to enforce the worker protection laws already on the books.
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dollars recovered for marginalized people since 2017
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dollars recovered for California gig workers in 2023
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people protected from corporate abuse

Featured legal cases

Join the fight for workers’ rights

We’re ready to provide legal support and training to local government officials who are working to protect and advance workers' rights.
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